Antiques Road Trip’s Mark Stacey went through a whirlwind of emotions as an unexpected item ended up making him a huge profit.
During an episode of the hit show, which originally aired in 2017, the expert stumbled upon an intriguing case that he hoped would contain a valuable piece of jewellery.
However, his hopes were dashed when he found it empty. But all was not lost as he managed to auction it off for a major profit. In a clip, Mark could be seen inside an antique shop when he spotted the item. Speaking to viewers he said: “Now, I’ve seen this little box here, it’s got Ollivant and Botsford on top of it.”
The show’s narrator chimed in with some background information: “Ollivant and Botsford are jewellers, silversmiths and watchmakers.”
“Shall we open the box? Let’s open the box, come on, let’s open the box. Could be a winner,” Mark continued, before asking the shopkeeper: “Can I have a look at this? “.
Antiques Road Trip’s Mark Stacey went through a whirlwind of emotions (Image: BBC)
“Dealer Jim will get it out of the case, drumroll please! ” The narrator teased. “Let’s hope it’s as exciting as it looks,” Mark said, opening the case only to find it empty.
“Oh, that was an anticlimax,” the narrator quipped. “Whatever was in there, issued by the Royal Observatory Greenwich, 19 September 1917,” Mark read from the label inside the box.
“The box used to contain a deck watch used for naval nitration the number one the box’s lid uniquely identifies it and ties it to these records held in the Royal Observatory Greenwich,” Antiques Road Trip fans were informed.
“They confirm the box’s provenance and tell the story of its working life.” “It was acquired by the Royal Observatory in the 1890s and was issued to many Royal Navy vessels before being retired in 1922.”
Mark then asked: “Just a little intriguing little thing but £40, is the dealer negotiable do you think? “. Jim responded with a glimmer of hope: “I’m sure we could do something on that price.”
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Antiques Road Trip’s Mark Stacey (Image: BBC)
“What would he take? ” Mark prodded, with Jim revealing: “I know he’d do a £35 on it.” Not satisfied, the antiques aficionado pushed further: “Do you think he would come down to £30? “.
After a brief tussle on the phone, they sealed the deal with a handshake at £30. The mahogany compass box, sans ticker, was then spirited away to auction, where it fetched a jaw-dropping sum.
“Two commissions with me,” announced the auctioneer, kicking things off at a cool £100…. “£110, £120, £130, £140, £150, £160, £170, £180… £180? “.
“Sitting with me at £190, hitting £200, with £200 firm in the book, facing off against the online bidders, with £200 it’s poised to go, all settled, done and dusted, at £200.”
Overwhelmed, Mark could only stutter with amazement at the outcome: “I don’t know what to say,”. He pocketed a £170 profit on a glorified empty box.