Latest News Articles by Matt Ball
The Arbiter’s Archive: Sotheby’s to auction extraordinary chess collection
25 March 2026In the world of chess, few names command as much quiet authority as Lothar Schmid.
Reuters investigation names the man behind the Banksy myth
13 March 2026For more than 25 years, some people in the art world have been pondering one question: who is Banksy?
Corkscrew? Saw? Screwdriver? Yes, but it’s not a Swiss army knife
13 March 2026A rare silver multi-functional gentleman’s tool by the celebrated firm Holtzapffel & Co proved to be the stand-out lot at Flints' latest sale.
Bidding battle for battered teaching book shows rising demand for social artefacts
27 February 2026Pristine first editions from sought-after authors or documents written by the luminaries of times past are usually the ones that command the greatest attention at book auctions.
Focus on a formidable character
20 February 2026A look at recent book releases, including a work bringing to life Pilkington’s company driving force William Burton
White gloves for Oscar Wilde auction at Bonhams
18 February 2026All 156 lots of the Jeremy Mason collection are sold as bidders vie for choice items related to iconic figure.
White gloves as all lots sell at auction of John Russell Taylor collection
11 February 2026"Oh goodness me, look at that..." said auctioneer Adrian Biddell as his colleagues presented him with the traditional handwear.
Rare programme from 1909 FA Cup final sells for £8500
05 February 2026Victory marked the first time Manchester United lifted the FA Cup but what happened to their unfortunate mascot?
IACF founder Geoff Whitaker dies aged 82
15 January 2026Geoffrey Whitaker, entrepreneur, dealer and founder of the International Antiques & Collectors Fairs (IACF), died over the Christmas holiday aged 82, after a period of illness.
Looking ahead to 2026
09 January 2026Will the year ahead turn out to be less turbulent than last year? The art and antiques trade – buffeted by economic uncertainty, US tariffs and EU regulations – will certainly hope so
On with the shows: 32 of the best events taking place in 2026
09 January 2026A feast of exhibitions awaits art and antiques lovers when they venture out to the country’s museums both big and small this year
Bobby Charlton with hair nets £17,200 card result
09 January 2026Little is known about Soiree Cigarettes or the firm behind them and it is only thanks to the collectable cards it issued in Mauritius that its name appears in web search results today.
Turbulent times: how the art market felt the winds of change in 2025
19 December 2025Buffeted by regulatory changes and economic uncertainty, the art and antiques trade still manages to find a way to conduct its business and break records
Five of the quirkiest collections sold in 2025
19 December 2025Many single-owner collections appeared in the pages of ATG this year, usually as they came up at auction. The silver collection of the late Michael Baggott and the art, books and memorabilia collection of the late Barry Humphries were among the stand-out sales.
US buyer snaps up rare Bobby Charlton card for £17,200
28 November 2025Bidding war erupts over what auction house describes as “the rarest Bobby Charlton card in the hobby”.
Rare cello bow could set new auction record
26 November 2025A cello bow by fêted maker François-Xavier Tourte is to be offered for sale on December 4 at Vichy Enchères with an estimate of €300,000-350,000.
Export bar placed on rare sculpture of scandalous Victorian heiress
14 November 2025A UK gallery or institution will need to raise £280,000 plus VAT to acquire a work by Henri-Joseph François, Baron De Triqueti, before it leaves the country.
Tiger hunt, Gujarat charger and box by Kyoto craftsman take the top honours
03 November 2025The winners of the Asian Art in London awards were announced at an event held at the V&A in London on October 28.
‘There was no warning, my boss just told me to take over the rostrum’
03 November 2025Last month Stuart Triggol celebrated a notable landmark: 50 years working for auction house Greenslade Taylor Hunt.
Staffordshire figures collector Kirkland Tellwright: ‘I buy what I like and that’s enough focus for me’
03 November 2025Kirkland Tellwright was Clerk of Course at Haydock Park Racecourse in Lancashire for 24 years, until retiring in March 2024.