Latest News Articles by Ian McKay
Exceptional copy of TS Eliot poem published in New York makes record
11 October 2021Uncut and in near pristine condition, an exceptional first-state copy of TS Eliot’s poem The Waste Land was the top lot and also a recordbreaker at a Sotheby’s New York (26/20/13.9%% buyer’s premium) online sale.
Plath and Hughes items with personal insights
11 October 2021Consigned by Frieda Hughes, who was not yet three years old when her mother took her own life, a collection of Sylvia Plath’s letters to Ted Hughes was sold by Sotheby’s (26/20/13.9% buyer’s premium) in a timed online auction.
Marilyn exercising – by Marilyn
11 October 2021Two Marilyn Monroe lots were among the more successful entries in an Entertainment & Music Memorabilia sale at Heritage (25% buyer’s premium).
British and Irish book auctions: October 12-29, 2021
11 October 2021Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions.
British and Irish book auctions: October 5-16, 2021
04 October 2021Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions.
Dedicated Dorset auction debut
04 October 2021Celebrating the county’s history, literature and its arts and crafts, an inaugural Dorset Auction was held in Dorchester by Duke’s (25% buyer’s premium).
Just William books post mixed results at Sotheby's
04 October 2021A group of Richmal Crompton’s Just William books that had an appealing family provenance were offered without reserve at Sotheby’s (26/20/13.9% buyer’s premium).
Ghastly tales, joyful vendors
04 October 2021Remarkably well-preserved 1818 Frankenstein and 1897 Dracula firsts impress in New York
Matisse and more from West Sussex
04 October 2021Incorporating 40 coloured litho plates, a copy of The Last Works of Henri Matisse, a folio collection of 1958 issued by Harcourt Brace of New York, led a sale held by Toovey’s (24.5% buyer’s premium) of Washington in West Sussex at £2600.
Early days of flight celebrated
27 September 2021A menu celebrating a landmark in British aviation – the first flight from London to Brighton, accomplished in 1911 – sold for £750 at Bellmans.
Take five for Forum anniversary
27 September 2021Now well-established London auction house marks landmark with a wide-ranging sale
Dante and Dutch Bibles among Sussex successes
27 September 2021The sale of July 15 proved to be its most successful since lockdown for auction house Bellmans (22% buyer’s premium).
British and Irish book auctions: September 28-October 8, 2021
27 September 2021Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions.
British and Irish book auctions: September 21-October 1, 2021
20 September 2021Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions.
A present from Isaac Newton at Bonhams
20 September 2021Presentation copies and private press books were a key feature of a Bonhams (27.5/25/20/14.5% buyer’s premium) summer sale.
Pioneering Caxton work leads the way for an impressive diverse selection
20 September 2021Three very different lots brought six-figure bids at a Christie’s (25/20/14.5% buyer’s premium) summer sale – and they were not the only ones to reach such impressive heights.
Saleroom with a view on Forster
13 September 2021Author’s works were well represented in London auction that included a £24,000 surprise
Rome and India emerge in London
13 September 2021Highlights of Chiswick Auctions earlier this summer
British and Irish book auctions: September 14-October 28, 2021
13 September 2021Gandhi’s digits make five figures
13 September 2021One of the more unusual lots that I have encountered in recent times is a piece of card bearing the only known example of Mahatma Gandhi’s fingerprints.