Antiquing in Rochester, MN

Oh, my goodness!

KEVIN: French erotic scenes.

BENE: $4,500.

Not even possible.

I'm going to send some photos to Antiques Roadshow, see what they think about it.

$450.

$475.

$500.

Oh!

Are you kidding me?

Market War MARK WALBER: If arriving at this Minnesota antiques market and seeing the name "Gold Rush" seems like d\à vu to you, it does to me also.

And for good reason.

Hi, I'm Mark Walberg, host of Antiques Roadshow and Market Warriors, coming to you from the Gold Rush Olmstead County Antique Show and Flea Market in Rochester, Minnesota.

This market is an outgrowth of the Downtown Oronoco Gold Rush Days Flea Market across the river, and the biggest of its three annual shows is held on the same third weekend in August on which its kissing cousin continues to claim first dibs.

So while this market doesn't try to overshadow its Gold Rush relative, it is definitely bigger, with almost three times the number of dealers.

Start your engines!

WALBERG: That gave our pickers incentive to make their entrance the way athletes do in a sport where there's also going to be a lot of territory to cover-- 18 holes, to be exact.

And like golf, a group of four players max can tee off together.

But make no mistake-- the players in both games are in it for themselves.

They're carting in as pairs, ready to start today's competition with a team target round.

And teaming up to give them their target assignment are the dynamic duo of the auction world, Ken Farmer and Steve Culver of Ken Farmer Auctions in Radford, Virginia, where all of today's items will be sold.

Because you're working in pairs to find this particular item, we decided we would team up to give you even better instruction on finding something French.

KEN FARMER: There was a lot of things made in the '20s and '30s that had a lot of rococo influence, like mirrors and cherubs.

A lot of marquetry inlaid furniture was made in that time period, and they're making it now.

Make sure that it has some age on it and shows some age.

Bonne chance, and we look forward to what you're going to bring us.

French?

Something French.

Okay.

WALBERG: Time will be kept by this Rochester town clock.

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

Let's go shopping, all right.

This way.

Can we do it?

We can do it, scan, scan, scan.

I love the French topic.

That's one of my specialties.

I used to work at a French antique store.

What do you think?

I don't see anything yet.

I think it might be slim here.

We might not find a lot of French material.

KEVIN: Austrian.

But I do think we'll see a lot of pieces that are in the French style.

What do you think?

Is it French?

MILLER: It's a French court scene.

All right.

What's that say back there?

Bradley and Hubbard.

American-- totally American.

So Kev, what do you think?

We should move on?

I'm not feeling it.

It's not working.

Forget it.

All right, now, something French.

Something French.

I think we think the same way.

We just have to make sure we don't get off track.

I have to take a look at one thing.

Oh, no.

Here we go again.

Put it down.

This is my primary collection.

Put it down!

I have to... okay, I'll go shopping.

It could be dangerous, but it could also be a heck of a lot of fun.

BENE: I've got to look.

Now, you yell at me for the aluminum.

I know, but I collect heads.

It's a man's head.

And he's just been marked down.

Look at that beautiful smile on his face.

It is.

And on the serious side, because we both recognize the thing that's a little obscure and a little off, sometimes that can really be the way to go.

BENE: That little bit of wacky might work for us.

JOHN: Wacky's always good.

WALBERG: But not necessarily French.

Wa-kee!

Wa-kee!

WALBERG: Actually, the French word for wacky is bizarre, which is one way to describe their behavior so far.

Makes you wonder whether they thought having an aperitif or two before they began might make anything they bought seem more French.

Oh!

Oh!

Oh, I like it.

We've got 40 minutes.

Let's do it.

KEVIN: Oh, there are beautiful.

Turn of the century.

This cupid is shooting the arrow, and this cupid is holding the arrow that was shot.

So a nice pair, you know?

They are $995.

A lot of money.

Can't pay that.

We have... 20 minutes.

We have 20 minutes.

We have to find something.

We've got to hustle a little bit here.

BENE: Anything French?

Nothing French.

Nothing French, okay.

Thank you.

Well, let's look down here.

This is a great booth.

Ah, this is you here.

WALBERG: John and Bene run into Rod Bartha, a dealer who sold John a set of miniatures at the DC Big Flea.

All right, good man, good man.

WALBERG: This is a good reminder about not burning bridges.

Any regular flea marketgoer is bound to run into the same dealers even at markets in completely different parts of the country.

All right, do you have anything French?

French?

No.

No, I didn't think so.

John... You're all American all the time.

All American.

Is this your booth?

Yes, ma'am.

Oh!

BENE: The age on this?

BARTHA: 1908, 1905, Gall\.

JOHN: Definitely French.

See, you had French.

How much is this?

$1,950.

Okay.

That's why we can't... That's why we can't afford it.

Wouldn't take $200, huh?

(laughing) It is beautiful.

Thank you.

Okay, you're looking for something French.

What have you got?

Longwy pottery.

A piece of Longwy.

Nice.

That's nice.

Isn't it beautiful?

Longwy's very collectible.

It's a form of faience majolica.

What's the price?

$445, but she's willing to wheel and deal, so maybe we can take a look around, see what else is out there.

We're going to keep that in mind.

That's my top probably, right now.

That's your top?

That's the top right now.

Thank you.

WALBERG: If you thought Miller looked a little queasy when she leaned on Kevin's shoulder, you're not the only one.

It seems as though she's having a little difficulty today.

I don't think she's feeling too well.

Is that a little French enamel?

What about this box, the beautiful box?

I think it could be French.

Ready for this?

I'm ready.

That's really good.

Oh, my goodness.

KEVIN: French erotic scenes.

How much is something like this box?

$5,000.

$5,000.

Okay, we can't do anything with that.

MILLER: I'm ving a hard time.

Something's not going on well with my stomach.

And how about something like this enamel?

A little French enamel.

Well, that one I can sell for $1,500.

$1,500, okay.

That's out of our range, too.

Wow.

Okay.

We're shopping in Champagne Alley with beer pockets.

We've got to go somewhere else.

WALBERG: It may look as if it's still business as usual for Kevin on the hunt for a target item, but he's just going through the motions right now, wondering what to do about Miller.

Bene, I found some good stuff, come here.

This is Bene.

Your name again?

Steve is my name.

Hi, Steve, I'm Bene.

May I see this?

Sure.

This is a Daum.

Daum, okay.

Daum Nancy.

Made in Nancy, France, right?

Is it an old one?

This would be in about 1905.

Okay.

The most important thing is this price.

Well, the price is, like, around $2,500.

Um... BENE: Why don't we look for something in the $200 range?

I think you're in the wrong booth.

All right, thank you.

Thanks for stopping in.

Have a great show.

MILLER: (groaning) KEVIN: Do you want to sit down for five?

I don't mean to tell you, I'm just... Yeah, I know.

I'm concerned, that's all.

JOHN: Looking for something French.

What have you got anything French?

Yeah, and we have a time crunch.

Not much in the way of French, other than Limoges.

Where is that?

WALBERG: While those who associate Limoges with high-end French porcelain may be thinking Bene and John are about to look at another piece they can't afford to buy, Limoges is actually a city in France where many different companies manufacture porcelain at a wide range of price points.

DEALER: This one is not.

This one may be Limoges.

BENE: That might be Limoges?

JOHN: Oh, may we?

This is a biscuit jar, yes?

A biscuit jar, or a humidor.

Humidor.

Probably a humidor, because of the monk.

BENE: This is Limoges.

And it's definitely French.

And it's signed by the person who painted it, I think.

JOHN: What time period, do you think?

Probably right around the turn of the century, 1900 to 1910.

Okay, great.

Do you mind if I talk to him for a second?

Sure.

Thank you.

Excuse us a second.

Okay, so this is $295, right?

Am I seeing that right?

This is a great piece.

I think we should go for this one, without a doubt.

Any sort of cigar-related, tobacco.... and it's a gentleman's product.

I know.

Which you don't always see.

Mantiques.

It's mantique, yeah.

Yes, I love mantiques.

But I want to take $100 off if we can do it.

We can try it.

Okay, how do you want to approach this?

Because we have to get it down.

We have to be good cop/bad cop.

So if you go really low, and I'll say, "Come on, let's go..." And I'll be the bad cop.

Let me open it up.

Okay, you open it, and I'll go up a little bit, and say, "Come on, don't do that to him."

WALBERG: Haggling doesn't get more exciting than when you go in with a strategy.

Let's see how well their good cop/bad cop routine works out.

You've got $295.

What can you do on that?

On that one I can sell for $235.

See, I really want to get down to, like, $195.

That's where I need it to be.

Because I'm a cheap SOB.

WALBERG: Oops.

Maybe they should have rehearsed.

Let's rewind the clock and remember their plan.

I want to take $100 off if we can do it.

We can try it.

WALBERG: John, you don't need me to tell you there's no way you'd end up at $100 less than the asking price if that's where you start off.

That makes your bad cop not so bad, and will likely make Bene's good cop not so good.

Let's find out.

Come on, don't do that to him.

Would you take $200?

WALBERG: And there you have it.

As planned, Bene makes a big show of chastising John for lowballing the dealer.

But to give them the best chance of making a profit at auction, all she does is up the offer by a mere five dollars.

I can't do that.

Two and a quarter, but that would really... $220, we'll make it cash, and we're done?

$220?

I would take $220.

That is a great deal.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

We appreciate that.

Let me hold this while you pay the nice man.

Let me get you $220.

Thanks again, my friend.

Have a great show.

We did good.

That's wonderful.

KEVIN: Miller's just not feeling good today.

So I have to take it upon myself to go out there and work for the team, see if I can bring something to the table where me and her can make a little money on.

WALBERG: Ever the trooper, Miller musters what energy she has left to help her teammate.

As luck would have it, she ends up in the booth of Mike Hammes, a dealer who sold both Bene and Kevin antiques in Walnut, Iowa.

Unaware she's back on her feet, Kevin is busy looking as time is about to run out when suddenly Miller finds something worth haggling for.

Kevin!

I'm on my way.

Hey, Kevin.

Mike from Walnut?

Yes.

How are you doing?

KEVIN: It was perfect, because here is a person I know that I can actually do a little business with and work with and get a good deal.

I'm here for French stuff.

I know you kind of heard what we were looking for.

Yeah.

Probably got a little something for me, which I see right here.

This is probably going to be the best moneymaker.

French Limoges, painted enamel decorated on copper.

It's artist-signed, as well as Limoges.

KEVIN: Which is Limoges, France.

And most of the time, you know, the Limoges is usually never signed.

Original frame, original everything.

Very vibrant.

It's a landscape painting.

I was going to sell it to you guys for $325.

WALBERG: Miller rallies one more time to help Kevin get a better price.

KEVIN: Gorgeous, right?

It's stunning.

But it's way too expensive for us.

I think I can work with this guy.

$250 on this right now.

$260.

$260, I'm not going to fight.

$260.

You agree?

Let's do it.

Here's $260.

It's all there.

Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mike.

Let's go, Miller, I think we can make it back.

Miller, good with it?

I'm going to throw up.

All right, let me get you outside.

Poor girl's not feeling well at all.

I'm feeling bad for her, so I have to take it upon myself, put my big pants on, and go out to the table so we can beat our competitors today.

(coughing) Well, I don't see them anywhere, do you?

I don't see them.

They've got one minute.

JOHN: Oh, no!

No, both of them have to be here.

JOHN AND BENE: Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five!

Oh, man, you just made it.

I did just make it.

Look, it just turned!

It did just turn.

Where's Miller?

She's not feeling great.

She had to take five minutes, but I know she's right around the corner.

You're not going to kill me too hard, are you?

I'm sorry she's not feeling good, but, you know, rules is rules.

Oh, wow.

Both teammates have to be back here.

I understand.

Did you make it?

I did make it, you okay?

Yeah, yeah.

$50 each, please.

I'll be happy to take your money.

Hope you feel better, Miller.

Thank you.

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

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

Wrong or right, majority rules.

KEVIN: We have a really nice French enamel painting here.

It's enamel on copper.

It's French, signed Limoges, right here.

And artist signed right here.

Jubert.

Original French label on the back.

BENE: Oh, that is nice, yes.

All original, probably around 1940s.

BENE: Excellent condition on that.

We get a double thumbs up?

You do, absolutely.

Let's see what you got.

We both seem to be riding the same train.

We both got a Limoges piece.

All right.

BENE: Hand painted, artist signed.

This is a gentlemen's piece.

A cigar humidor.

How do you think a brown piece of porcelain with a monk on it is going to sell at a high-end auction?

I don't know if the monk's Mr.

Handsome, either.

Well, you know what, it is signed.

Gentlemen's Limoges, it is signed.

Hand painted and Limoges.

I think we got something better, don't you?

Do we get the thumbs up?

You do, one.

He knows that we beat him.

Oh, yeah.

I'm not worried.

I'd rather have this.

Good job, partner.

Great job.

We did it, yeah!

WALBERG: Did Miller's nausea cost her and Kevin valuable time, leaving them little choice but to buy this Limoges enamel painting, or was it the best French object they were likely to find no matter what?

We're going to fast-forward past the bonus and Shop 'til You Stop rounds to get a sneak peek at how their target item did at Ken Farmer Auctions in Radford, Virginia.

Remember, they paid $260.

Okay, here we go.

Lot 180, the first one, the enamel landscape painting on copper.

$50 bid to start.

$50, now $60, now $70.

$70, now $80, now $90.

$90, now $100, $110.

$120, $130, $140, $150, $160, $170, $180, $190... $200, $225.

$225, bid $200?

We were doing so well for a while.

$225?

Anybody else?

Sold for $200, 462.

WALBERG: Now it's time to rewind the clock back to Rochester, Minnesota for the bonus round.

The pickers are meeting Minnesota dealers Dan and Nancy Taylor, who have been in the antique business for over 20 years and specialize in high-end glass and porcelain.

They're about to show them a jardiniere.

Very impressive.

I'm glad you like it.

What this is is a rococo revival pedestalin jardiniere.

It's signed "Arcade Dresden," which is Germany.

This item was purchased down in Missouri, and it was purchased from a funeral parlor that was going out of business, believe it or not.

So Nancy and Dan, what's the challenge here today?

The challenge is what is the principal design motif often used in rococo ornamentation?

Bene, you wanna go first?

Well, okay.

Turn around, guys.

I was thinking the curved forms of the acanthus leaf.

Curved lines of the acanthus leaf.

Good answer.

Thank you.

My turn, all right.

Principal design motif.

It's so romantic, so romantic figures.

I like you.

Okay, there you go.

Good answer, very good.

Go ahead, Kevin.

I'm up.

It's gilding.

All right, very good.

Go ahead, Miller.

Hi.

Hey.

Okay, the shell.

Very good answer, thank you.

Okay everybody, let's find out what the answer is.

And the winner is Miller.

The answer is shell or shells.

Round of applause, please!

I'm just kidding.

(laughing) So what did I win?

You won $50 for your auction profit.

Ooh, nice.

Congratulations.

Thank you so much.

WALBERG: For our second bonus round, we bring you a twist.

The pickers were told to buy an item at the Washington County Antique Show in Greenwich, New York they would need to sell at the Gold Rush Show here in Rochester, Minnesota.

They each were given a budget of $300.

Let's see their deal making in New York as a prelude to watching them try a Minnesota flip.

It's a nice size, but it's not marked.

That says eight dollars.

Your best price?

Eight dollars.

For eight dollars, I don't think that's a risk.

I'm going to go for it.

Thank you very much.

This is cool, it's a Scotty dog.

It's a bootscrape.

Good condition, it's original.

What are you asking for it?

I asked $100, I accept $50.

$35.

Give me the dough.

All right, I love it.

All right, John.

Carol, tell me about this dog doorstop.

Would you work with me on the price?

$75 I'd go on it.

Any way we can do $65?

Yeah, I know what I have in it, so $65 I'd still make a little bit of money.

$65 it is, thank you.

Slightly embarrassed as I am to ask, what is the best you could do on a ten-dollar cane?

(laughing) Five bucks.

Five bucks, what a deal!

All little silver inserts on it, nice little cane.

I'm going to double up on this one for sure.

(laughing) There you go, girlfriend.

Thank you!

MILLER: I really enjoyed having the John Bruno scooter, and that was very nice of him to offer that to me because I wasn't feeling well.

Let's go, I like this.

Hi there, how are you?

I wanted to show you this doorstopper.

It looks like a piece that you might be interested in buying.

Yeah, that's a nice piece.

Would you be interested in buying this?

I'm trying to sell out so I can... Oh, this would be your lucky dog!

I'd give it to you for a special price.

What's the special price?

For you, $75.

Oh, I think I'll pass.

Oh no, okay.

$25 bucks.

Bamboo bend, solid as a rock.

Walk with it, try it out, take it for a test drive.

Nope, you hold the walking stick the other way.

When you walk with a walking stick, handle forward, like that, okay?

When you hold a stick like this and you put pressure...

Right?

When you turn it that way, look at where your arm is.

Now your arm is right down the shaft.

You can put all the pressure you want.

See that?

You came right up, you heard it, it's yours if you want it.

I'll take it.

I'm willing to sell it to the first person.

There's this guy, comes right up beside me and out of nowhere he wants to buy the cane.

How perfect is that?

I don't know, I just like old canes, you know?

Nice to meet you.

You're awesome, thank you so much.

Well, to sell the Scotty dog, I've been very lucky going around, very successful going around just asking people.

I'm trying to sell me a Scotty dog bootscrape.

Not my kind of thing really, but appreciate your offer.

Turn of the century.

I'd probably pass on it.

Come on, make me an offer.

Ten bucks.

Oh, come on.

$75 I'm asking.

(laughing) Oh come on, don't laugh!

Hi, Bene.

Hi Mike, how are you?

WALBERG: Kevin isn't the only one who remembers dealer Mike Hammes from Walnut, Iowa.

He sold Bene her target item there, and at a considerable discount.

Even so, she took a big loss at auction.

That means they each may feel the other should be the one to take it on the chin this time, but Bene would be smart to take whatever deal she can so she can begin the next round.

You make me an offer.

I would probably give $75.

$75 for that?

Could you come to $100?

I'll do $85.

Thank you.

BENE: I purchased a vase for eight dollars and I just sold it for $85.

I'm ecstatic!

Thank you.

Okay.

I noticed the folks where we did the challenge round actually had this kind of thing in their booth.

Let's see if I can sweet talk them into buying it.

Ah!

Hi, Nancy!

JOHN: So Miller's in there with Dan and Nancy.

See, that's what you get for being nice and giving her the scooter.

(laughing) I wanted to show you this.

I'm selling this St. Bernard doorstopper.

She's got a cast iron dog, so I don't know if they're going to buy two cast iron dogs, but we'll see.

I'm certainly going to try.

Let me talk to Dennis and see.

Dennis does have more knowledge of that.

Hi, Dennis!

Hi!

She introduced me to Dennis, her neighbor next door.

Well, I want to show you a special piece, a St. Bernard doorstopper.

How much is the special deal?

For you, $70.

I'm going to make an offer of $60 on it.

Okay, $60?

$60.

I'll take it.

That five dollar loss isn't going to hurt me, and I need time to shop today.

And $60.

Thank you very much!

I have something to sell too, and I was going to try and sell it to you.

Oh, my gosh!

A Scotty bootscrape.

That's sweet.

Come on, you can negotiate on this.

I can probably go $25.

Oh, I can't do $25, I paid more than that.

I think $40's the best I could do.

Okay, why not?

Okay.

Okay, made a small profit.

Next time, maybe we'll buy a cow.

Thank you very much.

Thanks a lot, it was fun.

WALBERG: Once each picker sold their item from Greenwich, New York, they were allowed to start Shop 'til You Stop, so the round is now underway.

Remember, it's an untimed round in which our pickers can buy one or two items, but no more than that.

As an added incentive, all our pickers will be able to consult a small group of appraisers from the other PBS series I host, Antiques Roadshow.

These appraisers will offer input without knowing which picker is on the receiving end, giving assessments about items and how they're priced relative to what they're likely to make at auction.

Let's see how the pickers are doing.

Let's do it to it.

All right...

I don't have a game plan yet that I'm even thinking of.

I'm gonna go out here, I'm gonna do some scouting, I'm gonna look around, I'm gonna see if I can find some interesting items and take it from there.

It's open season right now.

It's whatever I find I think I can make money on, that's what's going to interest me.

So I went into the largest building at the flea market, and as I round the corner, what do I see?

Oh boy... A table full of walking sticks.

I mean, that's right up my alley.

I'm home!

I've sold so many walking sticks over the years, and I know what the people are looking for at auctions, and this dog head one, real figural, really good-looking piece, that walking stick could sell anywhere from $200 to $300 anytime at an auction.

WALBERG: As a Market Warrior, Kevin has never lost money on a walking stick.

Sold, $50 to the computer.

WALBERG: So it's with all due respect that I mention how Miller felt as strongly as he does about the prospects of the dog-headed stick she bought in Long Beach in California and auctioned also in Virginia.

Even so, when the hammer came down, it lost close to 20% of what she paid for it.

No!

Hello, sir.

I'm Kevin.

Jim.

Hi, Jim.

Looking at your little dog cane right here.

It's got a price of $185 on it.

I'm wondering what's your "I want to sell it today, it's getting late in the afternoon" kind of price.

$140.

$140?

Can I make you a little offer on it, see if we can do something here?

How about $100?

Uh...

Being in the condition it's in, as it is.

No, but I'd come down to $120.

Yeah?

Yep.

$110 and we'll shake on it, get a deal done?

Yeah.

All right, sounds like a plan to me.

I'll buy it for $110.

I was able to work a deal on a wonderful dog head cane.

At $110, I think I'm going to make a great profit on that piece.

WALBERG: I neglected to mention that Miller's dog-headed cane cost less than half that amount.

I'm just saying.

JIM: The cane that Kevin bought is a 1920s Malacca stick with a gaming dog of some kind.

I'm big into figural things, sculptured form and so on, so I like doorstops and carved canes and anything that has a figural form to it.

Thank you very much, okay.

KEVIN: So it's getting a little late in the afternoon, I had just purchased my cane, and I go to the next booth and what do I see?

Some nice Chinese items.

Now that is my specialty.

And what do I find but one of the nicest sandalwood boxes I've ever seen.

I like the box, what's your name?

Noel.

Hi Noel, I'm Kevin Bruneau.

Nice to meet you, Noel.

You, too.

What can you tell me about your little box here?

Chinese.

Right.

If you open it up and give it a good sniff, you can... it's sandalwood.

Nice.

Yeah, so it has a really nice aroma to it.

WALBERG: Dealer Noel Swanson is speaking to Kevin's listening, or in this case his smelling.

Kevin has been known to use his olfactory sense as a way of vetting items he wants to buy.

The smell of this has a great attic smell, right?

It just smells old, you know?

That whiff of smoky house.

Smells like grandma's basement.

Right.

I've never seen one... this much carving on a single piece before.

It's pretty interesting.

It's kind of over the top.

What's your price on that?

$395.

Would you mind if I took a picture to send this to a friend of mine, see what he thought?

No, I don't have a problem with that.

I think I'm going to take this opportunity now to send some photos and a text over to the Antiques Roadshow appraisers and see what they think about it.

I think it's something that they should see and give me a little input on it.

Oh, it's ringing.

Let's see what it says.

Mike Grogan of Massachusetts.

He says, "Very nice quality, $300 to $500 at auction."

Mike's conservative and a great auctioneer and knows his stuff.

I have to agree, I think that's something that if we can make a little deal on it, I'll definitely make money on this piece.

See if we can work a deal?

Sure, why not?

I like the box, but I gotta try and work a deal with you.

Okay, okay.

I'm going to throw you out an offer, you can either kick me in the shins, take it or work with me.

Yeah, I'm not going to kick you.

I want to pay, like, $225 for it.

$225, wow.

That's what those little card cases sell for.

That's a lot more carving than that.

What did I have on it again?

$395.

$395, okay.

Uh... wow.

I was thinking more, you know, maybe $300, something like that.

What about $250?

$275.

$260, we'll do a deal?

$265.

You got it.

(laughing) Too funny.

I like to work with you man, that was great.

I feel the box is going to do well over $500.

$265, paid in full.

It's probably something that a tourist bought in China right around the turn of the century, 1895 to 1905, somewhere around there.

It's just a beautiful piece, and I understand why he bought it.

He's got good taste.

Again, one more quick handshake.

You're a cool dude, thank you.

Yep, see you later.

Sharp dressed man, but again, too small.

Always too small.

May I see a watch, please?

Right there.

Talk to me about it, what is it?

1930s, early Swiss.

JOHN: I'm looking at watches.

Here's the problem.

When you're dealing with somebody like the watch dealer, all he had in his booth was watches.

He knows watches.

Rolex Tudor Sub, a 1966... JOHN: When somebody has a lot of something, they know it better than you.

So shy away from it unless you're willing to spend retail.

What have you got on this?

Uh, I'd take $1,800 for it.

Better to walk away and buy something you do know.

WALBERG: You mean buy something like a centrifuge lamp, a pair of chairs made out of snow skis, a genie lamp, Reveille chimes, an airplane propeller, or a commode?

Thank you again, darling.

WALBERG: Those tried and true items that have been virtually risk-free because they're the type of things that you really know?

Thanks for the tip, John.

Now which is the way out?

Then I spot this really neat radio.

It's an RCA Radiola missing a few tubes, then you can close the door.

How you doing, I'm John.

You are?

Steve Johnson.

Steve Johnson, nice to meet you Steve, talk to me about this.

It's an RCA Radiola 26 is what it is.

And then this whole thing here...

Battery operated back in the early 1900s, they had... Yeah, was thinking around the 1910s.

I'm guessing a strap went across here?

Yep.

And then your antenna is built in here.

That's what it is, it is the antenna.

The antenna is inside here.

That's why that moves.

There was probably like a grid that went over here, A grid that goes like this here.

Oh really, there was something like that?

Really pretty.

And it said "Radiola," too.

Oh, bummer.

So the grill is the one thing that may hurt it a little.

WALBERG: May hurt it a little?

John could be minimizing the risk, considering potential bidders are less likely to buy it to tune into "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me" than for decorative purposes.

Missing a big piece of its ornate grill actually may hurt it a lot.

Thank you.

I'll be back to you very shortly.

Yeah, you bet.

Glass canes.

Now, a lot of people do mistake things like this as Christmassy.

The truth is the majority of these were made at end of day in glass factories.

Lots of leftover glass that they didn't have enough to do something else with.

The craftsman would weave them into canes, usually keep them themselves, occasionally sell them.

They did become known and popular, so as a result, this, one of the artist types in the 1950s, would then result in some of the glass companies actually making canes, like this Murano cane.

And this is probably, yeah, 1980s.

Absolutely.

This is $195 asking price, and this is at $395 because it's Murano.

The name Murano will always be an attraction.

This whole booth yours?

It's this guy right here.

We were just talking about your glass canes.

Both of those are very special pieces in color.

In color, yeah.

Usually you'll find just clear glass canes.

I'll have to think about those.

Good talking to you, my friend.

Nice talking to you.

Thank you very much.

WALBERG: Before trying to make a deal for one of those canes, John heads back to dealer Steve Johnson to see how much that 1925 RCA radio will set him back.

You've piqued my interest on this.

Where can you go on it?

I can go $200.

One and a quarter.

Nope.

You gotta get below two.

$195.

No, we gotta get below two, $195 is two.

(laughing) Buck and a half.

No, I'm not gonna... Cash, take it out of your booth, $175.

$160.

I came down...

I know you did.

I came down $70.

Oh, no.

Make me happy, $160.

No, I'm gonna stay at $175.

All right, I'll be unhappy.

$165, we'll call it even, how's that?

I'll shake for $175.

Shake for $170.

(laughs) $170.

All right, good money.

No overt damage, missing a grill.

Would've loved to have spent $25 less, but still I got it at a really good price.

But it's such a fairly rare item that I think it's going to go at a decent price.

Thank you very much.

Appreciate it.

All righty.

I'd love to have a second purchase.

I may go back for that glass cane.

How you doing?

Good to see you again.

Where's the other gentleman?

He went to purchase a couple of items.

Oh sure, he's out shopping.

I want to come in here and shop and he's out shopping.

I know it.

Can you do the thing for him?

Sure.

All right, talk to me about this.

WALBERG: Don't think for a moment John is upset that dealer Gary Jorgenson is out taking a shopping break.

He knows he stands a good chance of getting an even better deal out of the stand-in who John will put between a rock and a hard place, forced to choose between underselling his colleague's item or not selling it at all.

What kind of money can you do for me?

He's got $195 for it.

You can take about 20% off.

(groans) All right, you want $150, is that what you want?

No, what I want is $100.

I'm sorry.

What I want is $100, come on.

Nope, ain't gonna happen.

Where can you go?

How about $145, how's that?

No, no, no, no, no.

(laughs) How about $140?

$130, can you do $130?

$135.

$130, come on.

Give it to me this time.

No.

Here's Gary.

Talk to him.

JOHN: Oh, sure.

We have to start all over again?

Now you do.

What can you do for me on it?

That one, I would do $150.

Oh, you see?

You got a better deal with me.

I know.

Tom gave you a better price?

I said I really wanted to do $100.

Yeah, he wanted $100 and I said $135.

I'll do $125.

You'll do $125?

Works for me.

All right, that's good, okay, that's good.

You see?

That way you can break it on the way home.

(laughs) WALBERG: The dealer is only half joking.

When you carry a fragile item like one of these canes, every time the glass doesn't break when being transported to and from the market increases the odds of it breaking the next time around.

It would take only one chip to cause its value to drop dramatically, and the dealer has known that since the day he first owned it.

You shouldn't talk to the owner, I would have made more money for him.

(laughs) That's what friends are for.

I believe my friend would be a tougher negotiator.

Over the years I've mellowed out, and I'm very easy to deal with, and maybe sometimes give too good a price.

It's John's good fortune that I came back.

Hey my friend, a lot of fun working with you.

All right, pleasure, thank you very much.

Thanks for stopping by the booth.

Yes, thank you.

A lot of primitives.

This market is humongous.

It runs the gamut.

There's really high-end items for thousands.

Not even possible.

And there's tables with things for a dollar.

Soup to nuts, you can find it here.

I want to bring something small, something people can use, maybe a nice antique box, something that is useable because it seems like auction buyers right now want something that is decorative, antique and useable.

Hi, good to see you again.

I met a dealer that I saw in Chicago, her name is Andrea.

She had bathing beauties.

WALBERG: For those of you unfamiliar with bathing beauties, these are figurines manufactured mostly in Germany from the late 1800s to the 1930s as the world transitioned from the Victorian age into the Edwardian age in the roaring '20s.

This is beautiful.

Marked $495.

Right now I'm going to text the Roadshow experts to ask them about the German bathing beauties.

I like them, they're 1920s Germany, they're old, in great condition.

Okay, got a response.

Michael Grogan replied.

Ooh, what a disappointment.

He said only $75 to $100 each.

Leila Dunbar agreed with him.

I'm not worried that I didn't buy anything yet, because I'm gonna take a look around and see if I can buy my two items.

And I want to try to get two items from the same dealer.

That's how I'm gonna make money, by bundling.

(gasps) Is this cinnabar lacquer?

Yes.

Wow.

The lacquer seems in good condition.

This is an old piece.

This is over 100 years old?

Oh yeah, absolutely.

Wow.

This is a very nice box.

Yeah, it is.

The cinnabar lacquer box is a great design in excellent condition.

Inside was really nice and clean, and that's what you want to see.

Cloisonn\?

Cloisonn\.

You know a lot.

I know.

You do!

It looks like it's in great condition.

It is in good condition.

This is a fabulous little piece.

Isn't it beautiful?

The workmanship is a different form than I've ever seen.

I haven't seen it with these draped wisterias before.

This is beautiful.

What do you got on this one?

$295.

Really?

The jar is spectacular.

I love it.

I've sold a lot of those before in my shop.

She has them priced right.

Do you mind if I step out for a second?

I have to do a little thinking.

Oh, go ahead, go ahead.

And what is your name?

Dorothea.

Hi Dorothea, I'm Bene.

I feel like I need to have both pieces, because these are the items that will sell well at auction.

Old cloisonn\ in great condition is hard to find, and the cinnabar lacquer box is a great design in excellent condition.

My goal is to try to find out what I can sell them for at auction, and then try to make the best deal I can.

The cinnabar lacquer box is going over $300, up to $1,000, the antique ones.

Now I'm looking up the cloisonn\.

Okay, some pretty decent prices on here.

My research shows that the prices on both pieces are pretty strong.

But in order to make a profit, I'm going to have to get somewhat of a significant discount.

Hi, Dorothea.

I'm back.

I'm happy with just one item, but I want to try to get both of them.

You still like it?

I do like it.

And I was wondering...

The price on this you said was $295?

$295.

I was wondering what your best price would be on that.

$200 on this.

$200, okay.

And on this one you have marked at $300?

I would do $200 on this also.

So I can get both of these for $400?

And I was wondering if there was any way you can do both for in the neighborhood of, like, $300.

Um...

I can't quite go that low.

You can't go that low?

I just simply can't.

I have them on consignment.

Okay.

Oh, I understand.

I definitely understand consignment, because I've done that myself.

$350 for both?

I would do that for you.

That's so nice.

Thank you very much.

I really appreciate that.

I will take both of them, then.

Okay, great.

Thank you.

So that would be $175 and $175 each.

Exactly.

Thank you very much.

Oh, you're welcome.

Both pieces I was able to bundle because they were in the same booth.

And I got them for a great price.

I'm ecstatic.

I can't wait to see what they bring at auction.

I think I've got great prices for everything.

Thank you, I appreciate it.

I like seeing the market from John's point of view.

I kind of think John has it made.

Is that a funnel cake?

Yum.

I like the old barbershop pole.

The outdoor marketplace, there were a lot of advertising pieces, collectible pieces, folk art.

Okay...

But there weren't pieces where I knew I could make a tremendous profit on.

Okay, I'm thinking we're going to go inside after this.

This is not working.

I saw this great print.

It really drew me in, because I like the mid-century modern aspect of this.

Can you tell me about this woodcut or lithograph, sir?

Yes.

She's a California artist that's pretty well-listed.

Right.

And at first it looks like a Northwest coast motif sort of, with the birds and the fish.

But supposedly she studied in, like, Fiji and some of the island areas, and that's where she picked up the style.

It's an interesting motif.

Yeah, it is.

You kind of see a Polynesian influence here.

Right, yep.

WALBERG: All in all, this wasn't Miller's best day for picking.

Not only did she get sick during the target round, she, like, her opponents, was told initially they'd be selling the items they bought here in Minnesota at an auction house near San Francisco.

And the colors are nice.

WALBERG: Much more than her opponents, Miller went looking specifically for items that would appeal to Californians.

And when the location of the auction house changed to Virginia after the buying was over, the odds started to mount, and not in her favor.

First off, would you even work with me on the price, if I make an offer?

Sure, I'll always try.

Okay, I appreciate that.

Wow, that's nice Minnesota hospitality.

You bet.

Okay, so do you mind if I just sit right here beside you and look up the price?

I just want to give you a fair offer.

The price tag said $450.

I did some research on my own.

So can you tell me this artist's name?

Dorr-- D-O-R-R-- Bostwell.

I looked at the comparables out there, and I felt like this was a winning piece.

I don't know if we could get a fair price.

Would you take $225?

I can get closer than you think, probably.

I'd take $275.

Can we do $250?

Yes, I would take $250.

A deal?

A deal.

The graphics are tremendous.

It has the original frame.

I think this is going to be a winning piece.

All right, we've got a deal.

It's all there.

Thank you, Jim.

Thank you.

You think this one would do well?

I thought about asking you if you'd let me have that one for $50, since it's an unknown.

No, but I would do $100.

You think it's an original?

I've got it listed as a print because I wasn't sure.

I think it is.

Let me look up Niño and see what I find.

Niña.

See, I thought it was Niño.

El Niño.

Is this a hurricane purchase?

Could be.

I'm not finding one thing.

It just has to be because you like it.

I think it's unusual.

Okay, I'm going to move on, Jim.

But I might be back.

I might be back if I buy it at $75.

Okay, you've got a deal.

$75, really?

Wow!

Jim was willing to give me a good deal on this.

It's a gamble to take an unknown, not very well-known artist to auction, but I feel like for $75, do it.

I think it's an interesting piece, and you can see all the detail that this artist put into the time into this.

It's a great-looking piece, I think.

Keep up your collecting, you're doing a great job.

Thank you.

I like everything you have.

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

Here are Kevin's lots: a Limoges enamel landscape, a carved sandalwood box, and a carved dog head cane.

Miller's lots include a Limoges enamel landscape, a Dorr Bothwell wood block print, and a Mexican landscape print.

Bene's lots are a Limoges humidor, a cloisonn\ jar with lid, and a Chinese lacquer box.

John's lots consist of a Limoges humidor, an RCA portable radio, and a glass cane.

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

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

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

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

And according to auctioneer Ken Farmer, there are bids originating from China.

Watching the bidding from behind the scenes will be all four of our pickers, who just found out about Miller and Kevin's $60 loss on their Limoges landscape.

JOHN: $60 dollars, though-- bummer.

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

Remember, as a result of the sale of their New York items, Bene has $77 profit, Kevin has $20 profit, John is five dollars in the black, and Miler has an additional five dollar loss.

But as the winner of the first bonus round, Miller has $50 profit.

All right, here we go.

Okay.

Nice collectible here, Limoges humidor.

FARMER: $50 on the Internet.

Who'll go $60 in the room?

Now $70.

We're at $60 to bid.

Does anybody want to give a $70 bid?

$70, now $80.

Anybody, $80 bid?

BENE: Come on!

Oh, man, come on, guys.

FARMER: Are we all done in Internet land?

$70, $80 bid.

Anybody give $80?

Sold for $70.

KEVIN: Lost less.

Are we surprised?

No.

Lot 184, on the carved dog head cane.

I've got $110.

Who'll go $120?

Who'll go $120?

I'm already there.

Anybody else, $120?

Get me to $120.

Are we done at $110?

No movement.

Sold, $110.

Goose egg.

Nothing.

FARMER: 188, the Mexican landscape etching.

Here you go, Mill.

Got a bid of $30.

$30?

Ten dollars, then.

We'll go ten.

Now $20, now $30.

$30 bid, $30 bid, $30...

I've got $30, need $40 to go.

Sold, 30 bucks.

Oh!

I can see all those Northern California fans there.

Look at them.

FARMER: Lot 182, the neat portable radio.

BIDDER: $70.

$80 bid, $80 bid.

$80 bid, $80.

$70, $80 to go.

$80 bid, $80.

A killer radio!

$90 bid to go, $90.

$100 bid, $100.

$110, bid of $110.

Anybody else?

$110, $110, bid of $110.

Sold, $100.

$100, oh.

185, Cloisonn\ jar with lid.

Ten on the Internet.

Who'll give $20?

Now $30.

Are you joking?

That was kind of expensive to pay that, though.

Now $60, sir.

$60 now, $70 bid.

Come on!

$70?

Oh... Sold for $60 to 423.

Oh!

That really hurts, because that was a great piece.

Nice modern art piece here, ladies and gentlemen.

Nice color.

Who'll give $75 to start?

Anybody give me $50 bill for it, then?

Anybody?

$50, now $60.

It's just not... Are all done at $50?

Anybody else bid $60?

Oh.

Right.

Last call, $60.

Look at this.

It's going.

FARMER: Now $80.

Sold for $70 then, number 419.

(groaning) (whistling) Lot 186, the nice cinnabar lacquer box.

$50 bid, start me off with a $50.

$50, now $60 to go.

Anybody, $60 bid?

Anybody with a $60 bid?

$60, now $70.

$70 bid, $70.

Who'll bid a $70 bid?

$60, now $70.

Are we done?

Anybody with a $70 bid?

Sold, $60, 457.

Another $115 loss.

Walking stick, parade cane.

Who'll give a $50 bid to start them out?

Anybody give me, anybody give me... $30 for it, then.

Who wants it, anybody?

$30, now $40.

You want $40?

Now $50.

You want $50 on it?

Now $60, where?

At $50 the bid.

Make it a $60 bid?

$50 the bid.

Guys, you're killing me.

Last call, $60.

Sold at $50.

But John, you're not there to tell the story.

I know, I know.

Beautiful carved sandalwood box.

BENE: There you go, Kevin.

And I have $100.

I have $375.

FARMER: $375 on the Internet.

$375!

FARMER: Now $400.

Are you kidding me?

FARMER: Now four and a quarter.

Four and a half.

$475.

$500.

Oh!

JOHN: Oh, my God.

$600.

Six, now six and a half.

$650 to Jane.

Keep it going.

It's a good thing.

At six and a half.

$700, give me $700.

Now seven and a half.

Get me to seven and a half.

Goodness!

$800, give me $800.

With Jane at $750.

$800 anywhere else?

One more.

Seven and a half to get $800.

Sold for $750 to Jane's phone bidder.

MILLER: Way to go!

Way to go!

Are you kidding me?

WALBERG: And the winner is Kevin Bruneau.

Congratulations, Kevin.

Thank you.

Way to go.

All right.

Incredible.

The box made almost $500 profit.

That's a huge hit.

Turn to PBS fobought an old r. And I like the fact that it's old, it's wood.

From the '30s or '40s, I think.

I had looked at the radio online, and I had looked up similar radios, and I knew about what it was worth.

I bought the radio because it's something that my husband likes, and it will go in his collection at our home.

I made a real good purchase today.

I probably would have went another $100 for it, yeah.

I think I got a real good deal.

Sold, $100, number 475.

I bought a Limoges humidor.

I think it's a very unique piece.

Great condition, and I'm really going to enjoy it.

I did see the humidor online, but I always come to Ken Farmer's prior to the auction because I like to look at things firsthand.

And it caught my eye.

The humidor came up, I thought I'd bid on it.

The price was right.

I was very pleased with the final bid price that I made.

I think it's unique.