Latest News Articles by Laura Chesters
International organised crime group arrested in €2m rare books heist
27 June 2019Members of a crime gang believed to be behind the 2017 theft of 260 rare books in west London have been arrested in a joint operation with authorities across Romania, the UK and Italy.
Buyer sought for auction house Wright Marshall
27 June 2019The parent company of Wright Marshall Fine Art Auctioneers is in administration and a search for a new owner is under way.
New joiners at Woolley & Wallis and the Appraisers Association of America - the latest Movers and Shakers
27 June 2019A selection of appointments across the art and antiques market including in Woolley & Wallis’ pictures department.
‘Toulouse Caravaggio’ sold in private sale ahead of planned auction
26 June 2019The painting dubbed the ‘Toulouse Caravaggio’ has been sold in a private sale two days ahead of its planned auction.
Appeal to trade to help find bronze statue stolen from Bedfordshire church
26 June 2019A bronze statue of St Michael the Archangel that had previously been taken 19 years ago has been stolen again from its place at the top of a war memorial in the churchyard of St John the Baptist Church in Eversholt, Bedfordshire.
Rediscovered Velázquez portrait of one of the 17th century’s most powerful women comes to auction at Sotheby’s
25 June 2019A portrait by Spanish master Diego Velázquez (1599-1660) last recorded in 1724 is to be offered with a £2m-£3m estimate.
Art and antiques from the collection of Landmark Trust founders Sir John and Lady Smith come to auction in Gloucestershire
25 June 2019A collection of art and antiques from the late Sir John and Lady Smith carries an estimate of £50,000-100,000 ahead of its auction at Chorley’s in Prinknash Abbey, Gloucestershire.
Going, going, private… Sotheby’s could compete on level terms with Christie’s – once it quits stock exchange
24 June 2019Art market insiders are expecting a dramatic change in the dynamic at the top end of the sector if a remarkable $3.7bn bid to buy Sotheby’s completes this year.
Activist investor Loeb kicked off the push for change at Sotheby's
24 June 2019The offer price from Patrick Drahi represents a premium of 61% to Sotheby’s closing price on June 14 and a 56.3% premium to the company’s 30-day average share price.
Patrick Drahi: telecom magnate and a man of the world
24 June 2019The 55-year-old media and telecoms entrepreneur and enthusiastic art collector Patrick Drahi has made an offer to buy Sotheby's via his BidFair USA company in a $3.7bn deal.
Stanley Gibbons Group says Mallett claim now resolved
24 June 2019Stamp and coin dealership Stanley Gibbons Group is due to receive £850,000 to resolve “all outstanding claims involving certain former directors of Mallett”, it announced on June 14.
Five lots to watch at auction this week including an Italian Art Nouveau cabinet, a Minton tortoise teapot and a signed Harry Potter book
24 June 2019With estimates from £50-12,000, here are five previews from upcoming sales this week.
Moving stories
24 June 2019Whether it’s delivering a 12ft long model ship or taking a dining table from Paris to London, getting a prized item from A to B safely is vital. We also report on latest developments in art insurance.
Art and antiques study bursaries launched at West Dean College and Christie’s Education
21 June 2019West Dean College of Arts and Conservation has launched a new horology bursary of up to £20,000.
Tennants hires new director, Gurr Johns appoints former Christie’s man and Bonhams promotes Contemporary art specialist – the latest Movers and Shakers
20 June 2019A selection of appointments across the art and antiques market.
Signed Harry Potter book comes to auction in County Durham
19 June 2019A signed hardback copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, plus other associated memorabilia, will be offered at Vectis Auctions in Stockton-on-Tees.
Record-breaking Martin Brothers grinning crab barred from export
18 June 2019A ‘colossal and extraordinary grotesque grinning crab’ by the Martin Brothers that sold at auction last year has been temporarily barred from export from the UK.
Sotheby's sold to media entrepreneur and art collector Patrick Drahi in $3.7bn deal
17 June 2019Sotheby’s has been sold to BidFair USA, a company owned by media and telecom entrepreneur and art collector Patrick Drahi.
Leonard Cohen's love letters to muse Marianne sell for five times estimate at Christie’s auction
17 June 2019Letters from Canadian poet, singer-songwriter and novelist Leonard Cohen to his muse Marianne Ihlen have sold for a total $700,800 ($876,000 including buyer’s premium).
Burne-Jones sketches head to Delaware museum via Cambridge
17 June 2019Two studies by Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones for his 1868 oil Hymenaeus will soon be reunited with the finished painting.