Latest News Articles by Laura Chesters

Ram raiders hit Petworth fair
20 May 2019Police appeal after jewellery and cash worth £830,000 stolen in night heist

How much for one of the first Apple computers? Here are seven realised prices ahead of the latest auction this week
20 May 2019A chance to own one of the first Apple computers ever made is on offer at Christie’s online-only auction ending on Thursday.

Five lots to watch at auction this week including Arts & Crafts furniture, a pendulum clock and Teddy from Andy Pandy
20 May 2019With estimates from £1000-20,000, here are five previews from upcoming sales this week.

Wilson and Thatcher – a week in political memorabilia sales
20 May 2019Collections from two former British prime ministers – Sir Harold Wilson and Margaret Thatcher – sold out at auction in the same week.

Final Margaret Thatcher auction is a white-glove affair at Christie’s
17 May 2019An auction that coincided with the 40th anniversary of Margaret Thatcher’s historic election as the UK’s first female prime minister, raised a premium-inclusive £1.08m at Christie’s.

Writers’ association launches fund-raising campaign to keep judge's copy of 'Lady Chatterley’s Lover' in the UK
16 May 2019Writers’ association English PEN has launched a campaign to raise the £56,250 needed to buy the judge's copy of 'Lady Chatterley’s Lover' that has been barred from export.

Andy Pandy’s friend Teddy is set to perform at auction in Kent
16 May 2019People of a certain age will be filled with nostalgia when they see this teddy bear coming to auction at C&T in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

Wartski reveals its treasures at BADA Friends next generation party
15 May 2019The latest BADA Friends Young Dealer Networking Evening was held at Wartski last night.

Judge's copy of 'Lady Chatterley's Lover' barred from leaving country in hope of finding UK buyer
15 May 2019The government has temporarily stopped the export of the judge's copy of 'Lady Chatterley’s Lover' from the infamous obscenity trial.

Police appeal for help to catch ram-raiders of Petworth antiques fair
14 May 2019Burglars in a pick-up truck and an SUV ram raided the Petworth antiques fair at the weekend, stealing jewellery and cash belonging to dealers exhibiting at the three-day fair.

Prince Charles painting, Churchill funeral memento and HP Sauce –Harold and Mary Wilson auction takes £226,000
14 May 2019Harold Wilson (1916-95) was Britain’s prime minister twice and won four out of five general elections, more than any other post-war British leader of any party.

Government consultation ahead of new anti-money laundering laws
13 May 2019The government is seeking views from the art and antiques market on how new anti-money laundering laws will impact the trade.

Five lots to watch at auction this week including a Lichenstein panel for Brigitte Bardot, a Suffragette medal and musical table clock
13 May 2019With estimates from £100-$1m, here are five previews from upcoming sales this week.

Collection of ‘London’s best-connected man’ Sir David Tang come to auction in Sussex
11 May 2019Hong Kong businessman, philanthropist and socialite Sir David Tang, who died in August 2017, was a luxury goods entrepreneur who mixed with the rich and famous and counted members of the royal family as his friends.

Jerwood Collection buys Michael Ayrton picture from Hertfordshire council auction at Cheffins
10 May 2019The Jerwood Collection of Modern British art has emerged as the buyer of ‘Encounter No 1’, an oil painting by Michael Ayrton (1921-75). After selling at the recent auction it will now go on public view.

Antiques market launched to boost local trade in Peterborough city centre
10 May 2019Traders in the Cowgate area of Peterborough are hoping to revive the struggling thoroughfare with a weekly antiques market.

Sofa where Edward Prince of Wales met Wallis Simpson comes to auction in Northamptonshire
08 May 2019The 'love seat' said to have played a part in the abdication crisis of 1936 is to be offered at auction this week at Humbert & Ellis.

Dealer Wartski and BADA Friends to host networking event for the ‘future’ of the trade
07 May 2019BADA Friends will host its latest Young Friends Dealer Networking Evening next week with the aim of bringing together the younger generation of the trade.

Pick of the week: Du Maurier dazzles as buyers worldwide snap up all 354 lots of writer's archive
06 May 2019A manuscript for Rebecca and a favourite typewriter were among the top lots in a collection of objects and ephemera once owned by author and playwright Daphne du Maurier (1907-89) sold at Rowley’s in Ely (22.5% buyer’s premium).

Lymington Auctions takes on George Kidner rooms
06 May 2019A toy specialist and his son have bought the former auction house of George Kidner in Hampshire and will relaunch auctions and open an antiques centre on the site.