Latest News Articles by Ian McKay
Elizabeth I displays her lion heart in letter sold at Sotheby's
09 May 2022Letter to adviser in 1592 underlines her frustration at the French king’s policies
Lost a sheep? I can help ewe
09 May 2022First published 1817, Joseph Walker’s 'The Shepherd’s Guide' has been updated many times and is still in use today, noted Bill Nelson of 1818 Auctions.
British and Irish book auctions: May 10-24, 2022
09 May 2022Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions.
Koppitz dancers show the right moves
09 May 2022'Bewegungsstudie', or ‘Study of Movement’, by Rudolf Koppitz, is the most famous of six tipped-in photogravures, each with a protective glassine sheet, that make up Pictures from the Tyng Collection, a 1931 publication of the Royal Photographic Society.
Acropolis comes into the fold
02 May 2022The view of the Acropolis shown here is part of a three-section, folding litho panorama found in Selina Bracebridge’s Notes Descriptive of a Panoramic Sketch of Athens…
UK and Irish book auctions: May 3-27, 2022
02 May 2022Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions.
Description almost a book itself
02 May 2022Sammelband of 16th century scientific works deserved an extensive write-up as best-seller
Traveller finds a new angle at auction
25 April 2022Bearing a very modest estimate of just £20-30, this copy of The Angler in Ireland: or An Englishman’s Ramble through Connaught and Munster, during the Summer of 1833 was bid to £700 in a March 12 sale held by Rowley’s (22.5% buyer’s premium) of Ely.
Books and works on paper: Mitchell estate opens Forum sale
25 April 2022Extensive group of lots from well-known book dealer and his wife led London auction
British and Irish book auctions: April 26-May 5, 2022
25 April 2022Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions.
Kendall’s skill was a revelation
18 April 2022The master wood carver and furniture maker copied out missing Bible pages when aged just 13.
Shelley’s inscription to Clara who made his heart quiver
18 April 2022The inscription “To dearest Clare from her affectionate P.B.S….” proved key to the price achieved by an 1812, two-volume Venetian edition of the Poesie toscane of the lyric poet Vincenzo da Filicaja (1642-1707).
Fry note produces a choc shock result for 1549 Bible
18 April 2022As this illustration of the title-page shows, a 1549 London edition of the Bible offered in a timed online sale ending on March 13 held by East Bristol Auctions (19% buyer’s premium) had its shortcomings where condition was concerned.
British and Irish book auctions: April 19-May 5, 2022
18 April 2022Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions.
Mystery journal ready for a private investigation
11 April 2022Bound in blue cloth with a large embossed design to the upper cover and bearing a gilt-framed and lettered title, ‘Private Journal’, to the spine, a volume offered by Cadmore Auctions (20% buyer’s premium) was estimated at just £10-30.
The joy of six – a selection of highlights from Dominic Winter
11 April 2022Pictured and described here are six very different lots that formed part of a March 2 sale held by Dominic Winter (20% buyer’s premium).
British and Irish book auctions: April 12-30, 2022
11 April 2022Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions.
Kensington mapped out and Le Carré in a designer jacket
11 April 2022Bid to £2800 in a recent Norfolk sale was a detailed and now rare Map of the Parish of St Mary Abbotts, Kensington… dating from 1879.
Potter: battered and pristine
04 April 2022Harry Potter just keeps on doing well at auction, and Hansons (25% buyer’s premium), which has enjoyed a particularly close and profitable relationship with JK Rowling’s creation over the years, had more to offer in a March 9 sale.
Album reveals hidden Tibet and letter unveils polar expedition
04 April 2022Polar material in a travel and exploration themed sale held on March 2 by Bonhams (27.5/25/20/14.5% buyer’s premium) produced a bid of £24,000 for a letter that Robert Falcon Scott wrote to a friend, Lady Goodrich, about his planned British Antarctic Expedition of 1910.