Latest News Articles by Laura Chesters
Duke and Duchess of Windsor snap from ‘Jumpology’ photo shoot comes to auction
06 November 2018Photographer Phillipe Halsman loved to take photos of famous people jumping. He once said: “Starting in the early 1950s I asked every famous or important person I photographed to jump for me. I was motivated by a genuine curiosity.
Can wheeler dealers become antique dealers? Former Flog It! presenter Paul Martin launches new BBC show
05 November 2018TV presenter and antiques specialist Paul Martin has kept himself busy following the announcement that Flog It!, the show he presented for 17 years, has been scrapped.
Global bookseller protest against Amazon-owned AbeBooks begins after decision to quit four countries
05 November 2018The backlash against Amazon-owned AbeBooks over the online book portal’s decision to quit selling in four countries has escalated to an online protest.
Gas explosion causes blaze at Nottingham Cattle Market but auction house Arthur Johnson unaffected
05 November 2018A blaze broke out in four buildings at Nottingham Cattle Market after gas cylinders exploded yesterday evening.
AbeBooks ‘not suitable sponsor’ for ABA as giant quits four markets
05 November 2018The Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association (ABA) has scrapped its sponsorship deal with Amazon-owned AbeBooks after the online book portal chose to quit selling in four countries.
Five auctions to watch this week (November 5-11, 2018) featuring Star Wars' Walrus Man, Winston Churchill's hat and an Art Nouveau poster
05 November 2018A Walrus Man Star Wars figure, a hat once belonging to Winston Churchill and an Art Nouveau poster are among our previews from upcoming sales this week.
Overhaul business rates despite Budget reprieve, say trade bodies
05 November 2018The UK art and antiques trade is calling for an overhaul of the “archaic and regressive system” of business rates and dismissed the Budget rates relief announcement as “too little too late”.
Movers and shakers: the latest trade appointments including an automobilia specialist at Lawrences and a new CEO at Mall Galleries
03 November 2018Our latest look at new moves across auction houses and art dealerships.
UK issues export bar for Antonio Canova’s Bust of Peace sculpture
02 November 2018The UK government has issued an export bar on a previously lost Antonio Canova bust that sold at a Sotheby’s auction earlier this summer.
Sotheby’s “cautiously optimistic” about autumn auction season
01 November 2018Auction house Sotheby’s reported its third-quarter results for the three months to September 30 revealing a net loss of $27.8m (£21.43bn) - down 19% on the $23.5m posted a year ago.
Latest Titanic auction highlights include lifeboat plaques and poster of the return voyage that never happened
30 October 2018The latest Titanic sale at Devizes saleroom Henry Aldridge & Son in Wiltshire achieved a 93% sold rate, with the top lots including life-boat plaques and an 18ct gold pocket watch.
Business rates cut is relief for antiques dealers and art galleries
29 October 2018Small antiques shops and art galleries have been given a reprieve on business rates with Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond announcing a cut by a third for many small businesses.
Five lots to watch at auction this week (October 29-November 4, 2018) including a rare silver chocolate stirrer
29 October 2018From the first book ever written in the Antarctic to a silver chocolate stirrer, here are five previews from upcoming sales this week.
UK auction rooms ‘not aware’ of new laws on deactivated firearms
29 October 2018The National Ballistics and Intelligence Service (NABIS) has warned of a rise in defectively deactivated firearms offered at auction since the law changed this summer.
Painting made by artificial intelligence and algorithm sells for $350,000
26 October 2018A painting made by artificial intelligence has sold at Christie’s for a hammer price of $350,000 (£273,420).
Ivory bill amendments will limit powers of the civilian officers enforcing trade ban
25 October 2018An amendment to the ivory bill raised in the House of Lords will limit the powers of accredited civilian officers, a move welcomed by trade associations.
Shropshire auction house Perry & Phillips closes as director returns to dealing roots
25 October 2018Auction house Perry & Phillips in Bridgnorth will close after 170 years in business as its owner has decided to instead focus on running the antiques centre in the Shropshire town.
Sotheby’s expands into interior design market with relaunch of retail website
24 October 2018Viyet, a website selling interior design objects, vintage and antique furniture which auction house Sotheby’s bought earlier this year, has been relaunched as Sotheby’s Home.
Fundraising plea to build Suffolk gallery for archive of artworks by Enid Blyton illustrator and her family
23 October 2018A charitable trust formed to promote the art of The Soper Family is seeking funding to build a home for the archive.
Five auctions to watch this week (October 22-28, 2018)
22 October 2018A painting created by artificial intelligence and a table from a castle that featured in Harry Potter are among our five previews from upcoming sales this week.