Antiquing in Greenwich, NY

So you're playing tricks?

Where you been all day long?

Who beat you up?

I paid $35.

Oh, stop whining.

I don't think I've ever seen one of these in the 17 years I've been doing this.

Jackpot!

MARK WALBERG: Located a mile away from the Hudson River, among rolling hills just outside the town of Greenwich, New York, is the Washington County Antique Fair and Flea Market.

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

This market is also located a few miles from the site which has been called the turning point of the American Revolution.

This site was a battlefield called Saratoga.

And today, Saratoga Springs is synonymous with some of the best horse racing in the United States.

ANNOUNCER: And they're off!

WALBERG: Since this is horse country through and through, our warriors are making their arrival in the manner to which this county has grown accustomed.

But don't expect them to line up according to any horseback formation you've seen before.

KEVIN: Why does my horse walk sidewards?

WALBERG: These would-be equestrians are pickers first.

And as you see, they're each going their own way.

Yeah!

WALBERG: As they plan to do in this market, once the competition gets started.

Before you place your bets on who's going to win, place and show, let's hear the announcement of what target item they're racing for from Matthew Quinn, one of the Quinns of Quinn's Auction Galleries in Falls Church, Virginia, where all of today's items will be sold.

For the target item today, we'd like you to find military collectibles.

The early American wars-- the Revolutionary War, the Civil War-- those items are highly desirable.

When it comes to Civil War items, you want to look for the Confederate items.

They tend to be a little more crude and much more desirable.

Watch out for condition, and most importantly you want to watch out for some of the many early American fakes.

Best of luck, and we look forward to what we're going to see at auction.

Oh.

Perfect.

Oh, that's interesting.

WALBERG: Time will be kept by this ogee case clock housed in the New York State Museum.

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

Finding military.

Should be a lot of fun.

Different.

WALBERG: Kevin knows what he knows, and knows what he doesn't.

And he doesn't know militaria.

He's usually hard-pressed to buy from a dealer who specializes in only one category of collectible, but now he's unlikely to buy a military item without getting input from someone who knows more than he does.

Hi, how are you?

DEALER: Good, how are you?

Good, I'm looking for military stuff.

I think there's somebody down in the far building, I heard.

Oh yeah?

All the way down the end.

Good tip.

Good luck.

Thank you.

Here it is.

I found military.

Now I just have to figure out what I'm looking at.

It's pretty wide open, actually.

Anything military is what we're going to buy today.

I'm hoping to find something fresh to market.

Maybe something unusual that somebody's relative had in the attic for a while, then they just decided to sell it.

That's what I'm hoping for.

Are these yours?

They're Marty's.

Helmets are $50.

Yeah?

Is this World War II?

Yeah, but he should be here because he's like the history expert.

He is a history buff, he's unbelievable.

Oh really?

He'll give you a lecture, and you'll run away.

Really?

WALBERG: Sounds as if Bene may have hit pay dirt, finding military helmets in the booth of a dealer who's both a generalist and a history buff.

Let's hope he gets back before time runs out.

This one is in worse condition, and I'm not thrilled with it.

It looks like some water's been sitting in it, and I'm not sure.

Hi, are you Marty?

MARTY: Yes, I am.

Hi Marty, I'm Bene.

Can you tell me, is this World War II?

You know, I don't know.

I'm not sure what the vintage is.

I mean, they look fairly old, but I don't know whether it's Korea or the second war.

Well, you know, these are liner.

It comes apart.

Right.

I think when they were sort of on the base.

Well, that says Military Police.

Yes, okay.

And they would wear this in combat because obviously it's a lot more protected.

Okay, exactly.

I'm not an authority on military by any stretch.

Okay, you're just a history buff, from what we heard.

Totally, politics.

WALBERG: This should be an instant warning to Bene that unless she knows what these helmets are worth, it'd be safer to move on.

If you're interested, you can have them both for $80, if you like.

Okay, well, I'm not sure I can do that.

How about just this one for $35?

Because you're so charming, I say yes, indeed.

Thank you very much.

Thanks.

JOHN: Now here's the thing about military: it's basically not usable.

It's decorative display stuff.

So you've got to really home in on something that was used by a soldier, used in battle, used in the military, and then is going to appeal to a broad spectrum of people.

WALBERG: The exceptions are reenactors-- people who participate in reenactments of historical events.

Most strive for authenticity, so as potential bidders, their interest in buying military items would be more than just decorative.

(gunshots) MILLER: It's a folk-art carved eagle, $225.

I like this a lot.

I can see it on a mantel at somebody's house.

I like the folk-art quality of this, the carving.

It's very well done, but I don't think it's going to qualify for a military item.

(chuckling) (grenade rattling) Looks too real for me.

It looks like it's ready to go.

I'm not pulling the pin.

WALBERG: Kevin turns to dealer Paul Buckley-- an Army veteran whose father was a Marine-- to give him a quick tutorial on the military items he has for sale.

I got a question for you.

PAUL BUCKLEY: Wait, wait, wait.

You expect me to be smart?

I'm good looking, I can't be smart.

You could be smart for one minute, because I'll tell you, I'm having troubles here.

I have to look for something military.

I have to send it to auction and make money with it.

Oh, you want to make money with it.

I'll sell you this for $10.

It's Vietnam, machine gun barrel holder.

Oh, Vietnam radio bag, five bucks.

(whispering): I don't know what I'm doing.

I've been dealing military at least 20 years.

It's in my blood.

I was in the Army, left the Army, and the Army never left me.

I collected because this is stuff that brave men carried.

And I don't care what side you were on, these guys were out there trying to stay alive, and trying to keep their buddies alive.

And I respect the heck out of that.

That goes on your back, that carries a PRC Radio.

Okay, we got a half hour.

Okay.

MILLER: Okay, John.

Tell me about the Hessian soldier andirons.

The paint's nice.

Tell me how old they are.

John, $400?

Usually they're black.

WALBERG: Dealer John Smart just gave Miller an unintentional warning she doesn't seem to hear.

If similar andirons are usually black, could that mean the paint on this pair isn't original?

I tell you, $250.

$350.

$270.

No.

$275?

$350.

$300?

Split it with me, $325, they're yours.

$320.

Oh my, I thought you were really going to come back with a real offer.

I did.

$300?

All right.

$300 is a deal?

$300.

Way to go, thank you, John.

Can you help me take it back to home base?

I'll take care of it.

Okay, thank you.

You're welcome.

Okay, do you have anything we can cover it with?

I don't want my competitors to see what I bought.

That'll do it.

You got it, all the way?

They're turn of the century, right?

Turn of the century.

And they are the Hessian soldiers, right?

They're Hessian.

They helped us with the Revolutionary War.

The opposite.

The opposite?

That's who England hired to help them against us.

WALBERG: My point exactly, Miller.

Oh, I don't know if I like those Hessian soldiers.

(laughing) I think it's an ammo box.

But like anything else like this, what do you do with it?

It's hard to turn something like this into a usable piece.

But it's not really novelty enough to be an, "Oh wow, I'll keep it on the corner of my table for people to look at and talk about."

But it's getting close.

I need to really take some authentic thing to auction that people are going to appreciate and that can kind of cause a stir when they actually see it.

Like, "Wow, this is pretty neat, "I don't have one of these in my collection.

This is what I want."

Or don't you think you have those collectible type items here, and this is more reenactment?

Yeah, I got a collectible type item it's whether I really want to sell it to you.

All right, I'll tell you what.

Let me go to my Jeep, see if I can find what I'm looking for, okay?

How long?

See that blue Jeep?

We got him going to the Jeep to bring out the big guns.

Go ahead.

Tick, tick, tick...

If he don't look like a drill sergeant, nobody does.

How we doing, Sarg?

I was looking for something else.

All right, you ready?

Yeah, I'm ready.

1943.

World War II.

Mountain rucksack.

Mount up, buddy.

All right.

Just tell me I don't have to get on a horse.

All right.

It is in perfect shape.

What's a mountain rucksack worth?

I would sell that one for $50, but... What's the usual trading dollars on a mountain rucksack?

To a collector, something in this shape right there, you could probably get $85, okay?

$50 to $85?

I was looking for the big guns.

That's more like a cap gun.

BENE: I was very happy with the helmet.

And then I started looking around, and I noticed there were quite a few helmets for sale in this flea market.

So I wanted to hedge my bets and perhaps buy something of better quality that was also military so I will make more money at the auction.

WALBERG: That's a brave move by Bene, and it may turn out to be a good one, provided she's not making one bad guess after another.

Since there are flea markets dedicated exclusively to militaria-- even within driving distance of Quinn's-- she needs to know her margins in order to make a profit with bidder savvy and military market value.

This says Civil War, is this accurate?

Yes.

Can you show me how everything comes apart, please?

Sure.

The bayonet slides out.

That's a very nice blade.

This part is the scabbard.

This part is considered the frog, this leather part, this slides off also.

And this allows the soldier to clip it onto their belt.

This is great.

And it has the "U.S." here.

I'm thinking this should be marked as well?

The scabbard part itself?

It very well may be.

There's patina on there that unless you run a wire brush over it, which I'm not going to do... You haven't cleaned it, right?

No.

No, okay.

That would devalue it.

Where did you purchase it?

From an estate auction.

So it was an onsite auction.

It was an onsite auction.

Okay, that's great.

BENE: Onsite auctions take place at the home.

That to me means it's fresh to market.

It came right out of a house.

It hasn't been shopped around.

I do like it, and you're asking $225.

And your best price on that?

I'll take $175.

Okay, I was wondering if you could do $150.

I could do that.

You could?

Today, yes.

Great, thank you very much.

Even though I paid $150, I have to add in the price of the helmet because I can only have one item.

Essentially, I paid $185.

I'm still confident that I should get over $200 at auction.

Thank you very much.

Okay...

Here we go.

Get ready, we're really going to knock your socks off.

Are you wearing socks?

I am.

All right, you ready?

U.S. Marine Corps 1944.

Water, lots of water.

Mm-hmm.

Uh-huh.

Big canteen.

What's something like this worth?

To me, $65.

You can get $125 for it easy.

That's the one I've been running around here looking for.

Is it?

Yeah.

I like anything with the Marines, actually.

I know the Marines is more collectible than any other division of the military.

See, the Marines don't want anybody having their stuff.

How much was this?

$65.

It sounds like $40 to me.

No, it's not going to be $40 for you.

I think you could double your money on it.

You think so?

Yup.

Why don't we put a little cushion in there, like $50?

$55, and you've got it.

$55?

$55, I'm buying it.

Here's $60, and $5 back.

Oh, now you want change?

I do want change.

Phew, this was a tough one for me.

Oh, stop whining, come on.

This is a tough one.

This is Paul's card, and on the back it's got Paul's father in his military uniform, and he was a Marine.

Paul, you can tell there's a guy in there with a big heart.

He's got his dad on the back of his business card.

That's pretty cool.

It's brass, it says Reveille, the music of Reveille.

And you go... (clinking noises) I saw John swing by.

He'll make it.

All right, talk to me.

Where do you think this is from?

I don't know, but who would... You know, maybe they played it through the PA system in the barracks.

All right, now Reveille.

Everybody who's ever been in the military, that's the sound you wake up to.

That's the music you wake up to every morning.

WALBERG: This is also a familiar wake-up call played in bunks that aren't military barracks.

Some due diligence by John might help to determine if these chimes were designed for battles with higher stakes than, let's say, color wars staged at summer camp.

JOHN: ♪ Oh, how I hate to get up in the morning.

♪ ♪ Oh, how I'd love to remain in bed.

♪ He's close, I can hear him.

Oh, you've got $325 on it.

What can you do for me on that?

Am I going to cry?

You're going to cry, of course I'm going to make you cry.

Rock bottom, for you only, is a deuce.

That's it, can't go any lower.

Can't talk you to $175, huh?

No.

Not even a little bit?

No, because I came down that far to begin with, and a deuce is fair, believe me.

That's the number I wanted.

Okay, I know.

WALBERG: John better hope this piece is more military than summer camp.

Otherwise, the tune he'll be playing isn't called Reveille, it's called Taps.

I really got to get going.

Okay.

You got a bag or something I can cover this with?

You've got one minute.

Can he make it?

Here he comes.

Just made it.

Just made it.

This wasn't as easy as I thought it would be.

No?

What did you get?

You know I always go for the weird.

Yeah, yeah.

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

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

Wrong or right, majority rules.

All right, well, we all made it back.

We did, and I got something really great.

I bet you do, and I kind of want to see that, so why don't you go first?

It's a Reveille bell.

This would have been next to the PA system in barracks or onboard ship.

And... (clinking) MILLER: Come on, can you give us some more sound than that?

It's not sounding too good.

Hit the front of it.

Oh, thank you.

And you know why I definitely think it's military?

It tells you what to do: tap here.

Tap the front.

(clinking) I wouldn't want to wake up to that.

That's military?

That's military, yeah.

How is that military?

It came out of barracks.

Military barracks or onboard a ship.

Is there a military marking on it?

I don't think it'd be decorated like this for military.

Yeah, let me take a look.

I mean, let's look for some marks.

All right, so give me an official vote.

You giving me a thumbs down on this?

I'm giving you a thumbs down on your Reveille piece.

I'm sorry, John.

That's not military.

You guys are breaking my heart.

Show me the money.

All right.

Thank you.

I think I need $100, too.

I trust you, but I'm counting.

Miller, come on, let's see what you have.

I have the Hessian soldier andirons.

The Hessians helped fight in the Revolutionary War.

The English hired them to fight against the Americans.

Nice paint.

Some repaint, but they're not bad.

They are a military design.

Military design, but are they a military item?

BENE: It's military.

KEVIN: Military made, military used, military look.

Hey, it's up to our interpretation.

KEVIN: It's a decorative item, it's not a military thing.

It could be a military representation.

We were not specific.

I think those are military.

There are soldiers in the front.

How much more military can you get?

I agree with you 100%.

I mean, we never clearly defined military.

That's not military.

Kevin, those are soldiers, hello?

I personally went out to shop to buy something that our Armed Forces would have used in the military.

But that's key what you said, personally.

You're using your own personal interpretation.

We're thinking about the broad term of the category.

I'm not saying that a soldier used these andirons.

These are soldiers, soldiers yell military to me, military.

How much did you pay?

$300.

A little high.

I think it's a good job, Miller.

I'll give you a thumbs up on that one.

Military is military, and I say a thumbs down.

That's what I'm saying, I'm not changing my mind.

Is it conceivable that somebody with a military collection can collect things with certain symbols?

JOHN: I got to say I buy your argument, I really do.

What's that?

If somebody collects military would want these for their collection.

Based on that, I'll give you a thumbs up.

You're going to give her a thumbs up?

So you have two out of the three, so she gets it.

And you paid $300, so you're going to lose money on them, so that's all right.

Okay, what did you bring?

Something military!

I have a U.S.M.C.-- United States Marine Corps-- water sack from 1944.

Dated and everything.

And this is an actual piece of military.

Something one of our soldiers would have used.

And anytime you find anything in military, when it's from the Marine Corps, it's always much more collectible.

Uh-oh, that's a broad statement.

That's the way it is.

When you collect military, you could have two of the same items.

If one belongs to the Marine Corps and one's in the Army, the one in the Marine Corps is always going to be worth more money.

So do I get a thumbs up for my Marine water bag?

Definitely, easy thumbs up on that.

Excellent.

Military.

Military.

It's all about you, Bene.

MILLER: Okay, Bene, did we save the best for last?

Yes, you did.

I have a military helmet.

I think it's World War II.

What'd you pay for it?

He was asking $50, I got it for $35.

Nice job, Bene.

Thank you.

So what do you think, John?

How would this do at auction?

Well, they're plentiful.

I mean, there are a lot of the tin pots around.

They usually sell in the $50 to $100 range.

I think they're going to be under $100.

So you should make a small profit.

So I would get a thumbs up with this, right?

JOHN: Oh yeah, absolutely.

I'm happy with it, but you know what?

I think I like something better.

I think this might do a little bit better at auction.

It was for one item.

Okay, let me tell you guys.

I bought this item, I loved it.

But then I walked by, and I saw this, and I said, "Okay, I'm going to scratch this."

I had second thoughts I might not bring a lot at auction, and then I saw this.

So you're playing tricks?

No, no tricks.

Can I hold it?

This is Civil War.

Bayonet, scabbard, and the frog.

You hardly ever see the frog, and that's what drew me to the item.

So now this cost you how much?

This cost me $150.

So this is $35, so now this is now $185.

I think I will still do well at the auction.

That was a great gamble.

I think I'd rather be into this for $185 than into that for $35, personally, so...

I'm with you.

Good luck to you on it.

It's a really nice pick.

Can I get a thumbs up on this?

Nice job, Bene.

WALBERG: Was the rejection of John's target item an early indication these Reveille chimes won't wake up potential bidders?

We're going to fast-forward past our bonus and Shop 'til You Stop rounds to see what happens at Quinn's Auction Galleries in Falls Church, Virginia.

Remember, John paid $200.

Okay, here we go.

The Reveille wall-mounted chime with brass plate.

1940s, $100 for it?

$100, $50 now?

$50 in back, now $60.

$50, I have in back now, $60?

Anyone $60 on the chime?

$60, $70, $80.

$80, yes, and $90.

$90, yes, and $100.

Yes on $110, yes $120.

$120, sir?

Yes, $130?

Yes, $140?

$140?

$130 in the back right now, $140?

Anyone $140?

I have $130 in the back right now, $140?

Any interest at $140?

Going to sell at $130.

Sold, $130 back right 127, to buyer 127.

Thank you.

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

The pickers are meeting New Jersey dealer John Valentino, who specializes in cast-iron items.

He's about to show them a handmade model Ferris wheel.

It's a prototype from the '60s of this actual amusement ride.

But it is to my understanding that this gentleman built this, and then this was later transformed into a real life-sized Ferris wheel ride.

KEVIN: Wow.

MILLER: Oh, what fun.

BENE: Wow, it really works.

It'd start just like a regular amusement ride, where it goes slow and then it picks up speed.

If you listen really loud, you'll hear a couple little brats yelling.

(laughing) I like that.

So what is our challenge today?

All right, your challenge question is: what mode of transportation was the design of the original Ferris wheel modeled after?

Interesting.

Go ahead, go for it, Miller.

This one's tricky.

I know.

Oh, you do?

Absolutely, I know, absolutely.

Bicycle.

Very good guess.

Here we go.

It's got to be the paddle wheel steamboat, the ones with the wheels that go around.

That's a very interesting guess.

Okay, thank you.

The unicycle?

That's a very good guess also.

It was more fun with Miller, Kev.

Trolley car, I believe it.

(laughing) All right, guys, come on back.

Okay, guys, the correct answer is...

The bicycle.

The bicycle?

Miller hit that right on the head.

And Bene guessed the unicycle, so we're going to give her half credit.

Wow, that's great!

Okay, my friend, what do I get?

You get $50 towards your auction profit.

And you get $25, Bene, toward yours.

That's good, I'll take it.

One and a half right.

One and a half right, very good.

All right, folks, and don't forget, come back here, we have another bonus question for you, first come first serve.

All right.

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.

Let's go.

Buy some good stuff.

Today's shopping, it is very difficult.

You're dying in this heat here.

You're nice and sweaty.

Yes, it's very warm out here, I'm sorry.

WALBERG: The high temperature of 92 degrees has set a new record for this day in Greenwich, New York.

And that doesn't even factor in the humidity.

The heat and heavy air are making this competition more challenging than usual.

And Kevin Bruneau could be feeling it the most, since he tends to move faster and cover more territory than the rest of his opponents.

KEVIN: It makes for very tough concentration when you're out there trying to pluck yourself that great item to send to auction to make money.

It's a pastel of fish, which is like a form of, like, a chalk.

And it's of fish in a really nice frame.

And these are kind of highly collected.

It's a common motif that you see painted right around the turn of the century.

This is very fairly priced at $110.

Hello.

DEALER: Hi.

Are you the owner of the booth?

Yes, I am.

You want to do a deal with me?

Oh, what's that?

I was looking at your fish.

And you got $110 on it.

It's got a little damage up in the frame.

That's just a little piece of the veneer on the outside, actually.

What would be your very best on the pastel of hanging fish?

I probably could go down to about $90.

$90, huh?

Yeah.

All right.

$70 isn't going to do it, is it?

$80, and maybe we're talking again.

$75?

Sure.

I could do that, yes.

I think $75 is a fair deal.

That's actually the number I wanted to end up at, so we're good.

Thank you, Lorene.

It was very nice meeting you.

Let me explain something about canes.

Being sent to auctions, you're dealing with a general crowd a lot of times, and you don't have that captivated cane crowd.

But there's a lot of people out there that love to collect these simple, plain canes to actually use them.

And you'd be surprised what they'll pay for a good-looking sturdy cane that you can use every day.

And this is marked sterling silver, and it's got a nice little design to it.

WALBERG: As an avid collector of walking sticks and canes, Kevin has been able to choose the right one to flip, bypassing novelty canes in favor of ones he feels will attract a wider audience.

His instincts are spot on so far.

He's two for two when it comes to making money.

And selling $175 to bidder 154.

This one goes to $70 to buyer 8006.

MILLER: Wow.

We'll do a 10% dealer's discount for you.

$9 for the cane?

$9 for the cane.

If you could hold that for one second, help me out?

Sure.

I'm going to get you the cash.

All right, I'm going in for the second bonus round question right now.

And the don't want me to see it, so I'm going to turn around and walk backwards.

This is going to be a test of your memory and observation skills.

All right, all right.

Earlier today, you guys were here and you looked at a prototype of an amusement ride that I asked.

And we'd like to know how many chairs are on that ride.

KEVIN: How many chairs?

Ten.

I'm sorry, that's not correct.

Not correct?

But you were close.

You were only off by two.

All right, I knew it was one or the other: 12.

Eight?

Eight.

BENE: This flea market, being in the middle of the summer, we have less vendors, and the items here are probably not at the quality of the auction.

There's some great stuff, but you have to find it.

You have to search.

Okay, this is probably not the right building for us.

There's just, like, collector pieces, odds and ends.

We need something substantial that we're going to make money on.

You have some interesting looking stuff here.

Well, thank you.

He was in the next booth.

I think John was watching, and he saw me touch the scope.

My heart wasn't set on it, but I thought I was going to look around first and maybe circle back.

But he came right into the booth and went for the item that I picked up.

What are you going to do?

(sighs) She walked away from it, and that's the etiquette of this business.

What is this?

Well, I don't know.

JOHN: You put something down, it's fair game.

I jumped on it.

I think I did the same thing Bene did.

I couldn't figure out who's going to buy it.

It was a nifty scientific instrument in a handmade wooden box.

WALBERG: Under less challenging circumstances, Bene might not have noticed John tailgating her or perhaps not even have cared.

But it's been slim pickings throughout this round so far, and that's adding to her stress.

It's hard to tell if she's thinking a vintage seltzer bottle made in Argentina would make a splash at a Virginia auction or if she's just brainstorming new ways to beat the heat.

I paid $95 apiece for them.

Really?

How many do you have?

Six.

I know you priced each of them.

What would you do for the whole set, including the carrying case?

Uh, $600... $550.

Oh, that's really high.

Well, they're $95 each without the carrying case.

Where did you get them?

A place called Good Old Things.

It's a warehouse in Brooklyn.

Brooklyn, New York?

Mm-hmm.

He bought them in New York.

He bought them at the highest retail market.

There is no way I would make money unless I got them for $200 to $300.

And then when I realized that, it was easier to walk away.

Okay, I've got to ask, what is this?

DEALER: An advertisement for stockings.

Oh, my God.

Probably hung like this in a case doorway.

Oh, I understand.

To tell people that they have stockings for sale inside.

WALBERG: When it comes to flea markets, what you don't know can hurt you.

This was not a stocking advertisement, as the dealer just told Bene.

It was actually an industrial mold.

Either way, today it only has a decorative purpose for a potential buyer.

But being told it originally was an advertisement could lead Bene to believe it's more rare than it actually is.

How much is this?

It's $350.

Oh, my God.

It's out of New York City.

I do like it.

It's a rare thing, extremely.

What is your best price on this?

Your absolutely best, best price?

$320.

Really?

WALBERG: Online, similar molds sell for $200 apiece.

It would behoove Bene right now to check comps, but it doesn't seem as if she will.

Well, have you sold anything similar or have you seen anything similar?

Never seen anything like it, ever.

Really?

Is there any way you can do $250?

How much?

$250?

No.

I paid more than that.

You did?

Let me just put it here.

In a shop in New York, it'd probably be three times that.

Well, I was wondering if there's any way you can do $275?

$300.

BENE: I'm a little nervous that other people might not know what it is at the auction.

So that is a risk.

Now, I was wondering if you can do any better than $300.

Can I do what?

Any better than $300?

No, I can't.

I mean, I'm not making that much.

Well, I mean, you did come down quite a bit, so I think I'll take the chance.

I do want you to make some money, so I'll go for it at $300.

Something, yeah, I'm not making much.

Thank you.

You have a chance on that one.

I hope so.

I was looking at this piece, and I was wondering, how long have you had it?

I've had it about 25 years.

BENE: He had it priced at $225.

I got it from an elderly lady in Dorset, Vermont.

Okay.

Who was a very good client of mine at the time, and she wanted me to have it.

When I learned that the piece was given to him, that he had nothing monetarily invested in it, I felt comfortable making him the offer.

I was wondering if you would take $100 cash?

$150.

$150?

Can we meet in the middle at $125?

All right, okay.

Really?

Thank you so much.

Bonus round.

All right, Bene.

You got to trust me on this one.

This is for the bonus question.

Okay.

$25 of auction profit.

Okay.

We're going to make a test of your observation skills.

Okay.

And memory skills.

Okay.

Bene, if you recall, we had a prototype of a Ferris wheel.

That's right.

With chairs suspended with little umbrellas on top.

That's right.

The question for you is: how many chairs are on that prototype of the Ferris wheel?

Okay, let me think.

There's one, two.

Wait, so that's one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight.

It should be eight.

Jackpot!

You got it!

Get out!

Yes!

Ah, yes.

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, yes.

I'm ready to get out there and shop.

It's a super hot day, it's scorching out here.

So I really want to find my piece really quickly.

WALBERG: There's no rest for the weary.

And there's no chance this will be a breeze, or she'll even catch a breeze.

At every turn, Miller is finding high prices are turning up the heat even more.

VALENTINO: What do you know about doorstops?

I could sell you her for $200.

I have $225, I could do $195.

Would you take... $125?

No, I couldn't.

Oh, darn.

I'm watching my profit margins.

So I had a big challenge going back out to all the different barns out here, trying to find my killer piece.

And it's a big market.

This caught my eye.

I want to ask you about this piece over here.

The Hubley horse, cast iron.

This is a cast-iron doorstop, probably made by Hubley.

I've looked it up, and this was one of theirs that you see in their reference books.

Hubley very often did not sign it.

Right.

It does have where it was screwed together, which is a sign that it is probably Hubley.

And it's probably from the '30s to '50s.

What are you asking, $225?

Mm-hmm, $225.

Would you work with me, Susan, and take $100?

Um, not in Saratoga, no.

This is a racing town.

Okay, so I hit your money item.

Forget it, Miller, there's no negotiating.

Just put it up, right now.

MILLER: I understand this is horse country.

There's no reason for her to drop the price down.

And she probably won't have to have it that long in her inventory.

Those pieces will sell.

You know, this is Saratoga, the head of the racing capital for the summer.

So horses are a very desirable item.

MILLER: I could see why.

Well, they're great pieces.

Okay, thank you, Susan.

I'm sorry.

That's all right.

I have to try.

MILLER: I'm in trouble.

Five dollars for you!

Really?

Five bucks.

Well, tell me about it first.

This is a nice old Saratoga Springs, you're in town.

WALBERG: What Miller could have mistaken for a mirage in this heat turned out to be Mark Capone, a dealer who seems so reasonable even she couldn't have dreamed him up.

I've dropped everything right down to the floor.

Anything you like.

If Mark hadn't said, "Hey, whatever you want, I'll drop the price tremendously," I don't know that I would have walked in.

Where you been all day long?

What's the oldest thing you have in here?

That's old, yeah.

How old?

1900, turn of the century.

This is all dovetail.

What do you know about it?

These are one board sides.

Cool looking hand-wrought hardware.

Okay.

It's got machine screws in it.

Remember when you said you'd drop anything you have for me?

That's what I'm here to do, young lady.

Okay, Mark, let's make it happen.

Okay, what do you want?

What's your best price on this?

Well, how about this?

How about you insult me with something, and then I'll be more than happy to pretend I didn't hear it.

How about $35?

How about $45?

How about $40?

How about $40?

Yes!

Thank you, Mark.

That's a nice little trunk right there.

MILLER: What else do you have old?

Okay, what about this box?

This is a nice little granulated sugar box.

Ten dollars for you.

No.

I'm here to sell it, young lady.

I like your salesmanship.

Five bucks apiece on those.

Butter?

No.

You could have all of them for 20, all of them for ten.

Well, tell me about them.

These are just used for mashing in the kitchen, mashing vegetables and herbs and spices.

I'm going to mash my competitors.

Yeah, that's what I'm saying.

That's what I'm saying.

I'm here to help.

Okay, what about this is kind of cool.

I'll sell it to you for $25.

Why not?

That's what I'm saying.

$25.

MILLER: It's a nice wrought-iron birdcage.

It's got some weight to it, and some age.

The patina's nice.

Okay, can you help me take this out?

That's the next challenge.

If I take the birdcage, can you take the box?

Can we swap it?

You take the box and I take the birdcage?

No, I'm only kidding.

I'll help you out with the birdcage.

(laughs) Wow, Mark Capone is larger than life.

He's so much fun, he's got some cool inventory, and I don't know why I didn't see his booth before.

You're a lively little Southern belle here.

I should have come in here earlier.

Mark, I'm a little concerned.

Whoa... Don't be concerned about me, young lady.

I know what I was doing coming in here.

I specialize in good deals.

I'm the godfather of great deals.

You hang with the big boys, you got to pick up the big toys, you know?

I like it.

As long as I get some big cash going along with it.

Capone hooked you up for big bucks right here, young lady.

You did, you're the man.

We're friends for life.

Oh, look at this.

I had purchased, a number of shows ago, a pair of Adirondack chairs made out of snow skis.

They laughed at me.

(everyone laughing) I spent 900 bucks for these chairs.

They all said, "These aren't going to sell."

How many have you seen?

At $900, two's enough.

I have $500, $600, $700, I have $800 here, now $900.

I have $900, I have $1,000, now $1,250.

MILLER: Oh, my goodness.

AUCTIONEER: $1,000, bid $1,250.

Sold for $1,000.

JOHN: Made a profit.

This is not quiet as cool, but I got to tell you, at $120, this could be very interesting.

I may have to prove the gang wrong again.

Pretty neat.

I may have to go here.

JOHN: Miniature furniture I know is hot today and is very hot down at Quinn's Auction.

So I spotted two miniature chairs.

WALBERG: I hate to stick it to you, John, but I feel compelled to remind you the last time you bought a pair of miniature chairs and a table for auction at Quinn's, the hammer price was miniature.

But not your loss, that was major.

Sold, $25 on my left.

Oh, my God.

Hello.

Can we talk?

I don't know anything about those, I'm going to tell you right now.

I know nothing about those.

You know nothing about them.

Um, you're calling them doll's chairs.

But we don't know, they could just be miniatures.

I don't believe so because they're later, when they didn't do the salesman samples.

So I believe they're, like, probably from the '60s.

All right, that answers that.

Come talk to me about the horses over here.

Children's pull horses.

This is made out of a wood composition.

It's had some restoration here.

Mm-hmm, it has a break here.

But you got to remember, children played with these.

They did.

They did.

This one is a papier-mâché type of material.

He's got part of his tail left.

He does have his ears.

His mane has been abused a little.

But his wheels are all original wheels.

There's the place for the rope, for the pull toy.

Very good.

You've got $280 on this.

Yeah, and he would go for about $240.

You've got $395 on this.

And he would probably go for about $350.

The prices were so high.

I don't know if I'm actually going to be able to get these down to where I can make a buck.

And sure enough, she tells me one of my challengers was in there and she turned down an offer from her.

Are you going to beat me up too as bad as the last one did?

Who beat you up?

I just think being the capital of the horse racing season right now here in summer in Saratoga, to ask to have the price reduced over half is a little bit much.

There are other people who will be willing to pay a fair price, and I will discount, but it will be a fair price.

It'll be a fair price.

Well, I work a little differently.

Now, you know I'm interested in one of those items.

But I'm also interested in those chairs, even though they are somewhat newer.

Are you selling those as a pair or individually?

I would like to sell them as a pair, and of course, you would have a better deal buying a pair.

JOHN: So we can probably bundle some things together, couldn't we?

FOGG: We maybe could.

Let's talk seriously now.

Let's go around this way.

All right, the chairs.

What would be the price for a pair of the chairs?

Um... for a pair, I would do $110.

$110.

Let's go look at the horse, and let's keep these in mind.

I've got first dibs on those.

We've got $395 on the horse.

With the chairs, what would you do as a combo price?

Um... $100 on the chairs, and $325 on the horse.

I'd love-- and you can feel free to give me a shot-- I'd love $275 for the three pieces.

$285, and we have a deal.

$285?

$280?

$285.

$280?

$285.

$285?

$285.

$285.

All right, deal.

Deal.

I like that-- all right, that works.

So $200 for the horse, and $85 for that.

That's $285.

Okay.

WALBERG: Don't forget that dealer Susan Fogg, who is also an interior designer, seemed almost insulted by Miller when she offered her half-price on the other toy horse.

She ended up giving John close to the same percentage of a discount on this one.

Thank you very much.

I can't thank you enough.

Have a great day.

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

Here are John's lots: Reveille wall chimes, a German papier-mâché toy horse and a pair of doll chairs.

Miller's lots are comprised of Hessian andirons, a wrought-iron birdcage and a wood trunk.

Bene's lots include a Springfield trapdoor bayonet, an industrial stocking form and a handmade doll dresser.

Kevin's lots consist of a World War II U.S. Marine Corps water bag, a pastel drawing of trout and a wooden cane with sterling silver band.

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 uncatalogued auction, items are not vetted thoroughly, so this not only means buyer beware, but also that attentive buyers can make a lucky find in their favor.

Watching the bidding from behind the scenes will be all four of our pickers, who were just told about the $130 hammer price on John's Reveille chimes, giving him a loss of $70.

Yeah, you beat me up on my chimes.

Kicked under the bus again.

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

Remember, as the winner of the first bonus round, Miller is starting out with a $50 profit, while Bene was awarded partial credit, putting her $25 in the black, with an additional $25 profit as the winner of the second bonus round.

All right, here we go.

All right, so this is a pastel of rainbow trout in an oval grain painted frame, late 19th-century piece.

Start me, please, $20 for it.

$20, thank you, and $30, $40, $50, ma'am.

$60, sir?

$70?

$70, yes, and $80, yes, and $90.

$90, yes, and $100?

$100?

Is it signed?

AUCTIONEER: $110 on my left, now $120.

Anyone $120?

$110, new bidder at $120, now $130.

To get that high and it's not signed, I mean this is nice.

I always see $100 to $150.

I have $130 on my left-hand, I'm looking for $140.

Any interest at $140?

Sold, $130 on my left.

MILLER: That's fair.

That's what I hoped to do, perfect.

The wooden storage trunk with the dovetail construction there.

Start me, please, ten bucks for it?

Ten I have, now $15 and $20.

$25, $30, $35, $40.

$45?

$40 down front, now $45?

We got $40 in the second row.

Work it, work it, work it, yes.

Oh, a profit.

$50, is that a yes?

$50 yes, $55?

$55?

$50 in the second row.

No.

Oh, she says no.

$50 and $55?

Sold, $50 in the second row, buyer 211.

Excellent.

Okay, I'll take it.

This Springfield U.S. trapdoor bayonet with scabbard, circa 1870s.

From the Indian War era.

If I can start the bidding off here absentee at $120.

Now $130, please?

I have $120 bid here, now $130?

Anyone $130?

I have $120 to the absentee bidder, looking for $130?

Any interest at $130?

Going to sell at $120 to the absentee bidder.

Anyone $130?

Sold here $120.

Okay.

MILLER: Whoops.

BENE: I know.

I'm in the lead.

I'm going to enjoy this moment.

It might just be a moment.

BENE: It might just be a moment?

JOHN: Oh, listen to you.

Wow.

The bayonet, you were talking Civil War, but they didn't mention that it was Civil War.

Is there an issue or...?

I did quite a bit of research on it, and I just couldn't call it.

And I talked to the auctioneer, and we thought it was a little later, maybe late 1860s or maybe early '70s.

So we didn't want to put that in there just in case it wasn't Civil War.

Being an auctioneer, if you're not sure, it's best to let the buyer decide.

It's a vintage scrolling wrought-iron birdcage from the first part of the 20th century here.

I can start the bidding here absentee at $40.

Profit already.

Wow.

KEVIN: This is a big one.

$80, yes, and $90?

$80, I have the lady, now $90.

I have $80 in the fourth row, now $90.

$80 bid, $90, yes.

And $100, ma'am?

$100, no.

$90, back to you, sir.

And now $100?

That's great, Miller.

I have $90 bid, now $100.

Anyone $100?

Sold $90, in the back.

That's very good, Miller.

BENE: That's excellent.

It's a pair of doll chairs in an Empire style.

Start me, please, five dollars for the pair?

Oh!

JOHN: Why are you starting at five?

You're joking.

Now $15, $15, yes?

They're not old, John.

$15 on my left, now $20.

I have $15, $20 there, and $25.

$20 seated on the floor, now $25.

Anyone $25?

Got $20 bid, now $25?

Any interest at $25, $20 bid, now $25?

Sold, $20.

Oh, no.

Woof... Oh, come on.

That was a punch in the gut again.

The handmade miniature doll dresser made in 1941.

Start me, please, $20 for it.

$20 for it, now ten bucks for it.

BENE: Oh, man.

KEVIN: Uh-oh.

(sighs) $25 there, now $30 and $35.

But the condition looks bad.

No, it's in great condition, it's just the mirror.

Yes, and $50.

Yes, and $55?

$55, yes, $60.

$60, yes $65?

$65 there, $70?

$75?

$75, sir?

$75, I have $70 seated up here.

Now $75, $75 a new bidder, and $80.

$80 yes, and $85?

Come on, go.

Now $85, I have $80 on my left, now $85?

Any bid now, anyone $85?

Sold $80 to you.

Oh.

The walking stick with a sterling band, it's hallmarked.

The cane is probably walnut there for you.

Start me, please, ten bucks for it?

Ten dollars on the cane, ten in the back.

$15, $20.

$20, yes, $25.

$20 to the gentleman, $25?

$25 standing, now $30.

$30, yes, and $35, yes and $40.

$40, $35 standing, now $40.

Anyone $40?

$40, yes, and $45.

$45?

Yes, and $50.

$45, standing, now $50?

Anyone $50?

$50 at the computer, now $55?

$50 at the computer, now $55?

Wow.

Anyone $55?

Sell to the computer at $50?

Sold $50 to the computer.

That's fair.

Good job, Kevin.

MILLER: I'm in the lead.

You are.

Great job.

Are you scared?

KEVIN: Very scared.

Be very afraid.

What do you figure, Bruno?

I have nothing to say anymore.

You have nothing to say?

Oh well.

Someone's upset.

The auction is not over.

John, it's not over yet.

Better luck on the next round.

Let's see what happens.

It's a vintage nickel-plated stocking form from the Paramount Textile Machine Company.

$300?

$300, a little high.

I don't think I've ever seen one of these in the 17 years I've been doing this, but it is quite interesting.

Start me, please, $20 for it.

$20?

$20 there, $30, $40, $50.

$50 in the back, $60.

$60, yes, $70.

$70 yes, $80 yes, $90.

$100, sir.

$100, no.

$90 in the back right now, $100?

$90 in the back, $100 here.

Now $110, ma'am?

$110 yes, $120?

$110 in the back, anyone $120?

I have $110 in the back.

Any interest at $120?

Going to sell $110 in the back, $120?

Sold $110 in the back.

Oh... wow.

127, $110.

All right, nice German papier-mâché horse pull toy from the 1920s, 1930s.

Good luck, John.

Start me, please, $50 for it, $50?

$20, how about $20?

Gosh, $55, $60?

$65?

$60 standing, $65, $70, $65 seated in the second row.

$70, anyone $70?

$65, $70 there, and $75?

$75, no.

$70 at the computer, now $75 at the computer.

Ooh...

It's not going to go, it's not going to break $100.

Hey, don't lose hope yet.

$75 to the computer.

Anyone $80?

Sold $75 to the computer.

No.

$75.

Just think, though, how many you see at the different sales we go to.

There's a lot of them out there.

The World War II era U.S. Marine Corps canvas water bag, marked 1944.

It has a latex insert to it.

Can start the bidding here absentee at $60, now $70?

$60 here, now $65, I've got $60?

Absentee looking for $65, $70, $75?

$80 here, $85?

$85, $80 bid here?

$85, $90 here, $95?

$95?

$95?

$100 here, $110?

$110, $110 I'm done, now $120.

$110 to the computer, now $120?

Anyone $120?

I have $110 at the computer.

Now $120, anyone $120?

Sold $110 to the computer.

That's great.

Double.

BENE: Excellent.

And the pair of Hessian cast-iron andirons.

Polychrome painted from the first half of the 20th century.

I can start the bidding here absentee at $60, now $70.

$70, $80, $90, ma'am.

$90, I'm done, now $100.

$90 on my left, now $100.

I got $90 bid, $100 there.

And $110 yes, and $120.

$120, $110 there now.

$120, anyone $120?

$110 on my left, now $120, anyone $120?

$110, bid $120?

Sold $110 on my left to buyer 203.

WALBERG: And the winner is Kevin Bruneau.

Way to go.

Great job.

Good job, man, good job.

John, the reason your papier-mâché horse didn't do as well is that even with toys, condition is a factor.

We know they're played with, this one had good age, but you still have to find the great condition.

And it was held back a little bit because of it.

Yeah, condition wasn't mint, of course.

QUINN: Bene, whenever you're going to buy something as funky as a stainless-steel leg, you're always taking a gamble.

Got to watch your margin.

You never know who's going to want to buy those.

Hard to predict what's going to happen.

So there you go, lesson learned.

Yes.

Miller was right up my heels this week.

She's getting, like, two out of three.

And if she refines that third buy, I'm going to be in trouble.

Turn to PBS fo the items I purchased was a pastel of trouts.

It's oval with a lovely frame that has a beautiful wood burl.

To me, it seems like it had to be in an antique shop.

I am getting ready to open a new shop, and I want to make a point for it to appeal to men as well as to women.

Fish definitely work for men, as a rule.

I was very happy with the price I got.

Sold $130 on my left, buyer 203, 203.

I purchased a number of things.

One thing I really like is this very cool silver-nickel stocking form.

I went online to do some research and get a feel for pricing, and just really couldn't find anything like it.

I would hang it on a wall, but what I intend to do is resell it.

Often, the more traditional items sell well here, and some of the funkier stuff doesn't always get as many bids, but I think I'll do well with it.