Latest News Articles by Matt Ball
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.
Antony Worrall Thompson collection sells at Bonhams
24 October 2025The celebrity chef served up something tasty at Bonhams Knightsbridge: a few morsels from of his own collection.
Meredith of Manchester: a sport memorabilia first pick
20 October 2025City and United player once mired in a bribery scandal but who played until 49 is today a major draw at auction
New book on Thompson’s life and work launches at Mitchells
20 October 2025Auction house Mitchells in Cockermouth is hosting a book launch on Monday December 8 to mark the publication of a new tome cataloguing the life and work of ‘the Lake District’s most prolific painter’.
Fellows takes on new owner and aims for higher value consignments
29 September 2025Auction house Fellows has a new owner, with 100% of the business - previously owned by the Whittaker family - having been sold to a private investor.
Handy if you need to scare a ram
22 September 2025From October 28-31 the Worshipful Company of Turners is hosting Wizardry in Wood 2025 – its quadrennial celebration of woodturning and wood art – at Plaisterers’ Hall in London.
New Zealand relic carved for a Scot comes up for auction in Australia
15 September 2025The kumete whakairo (presentation bowl) shown here is one of three large and historically significant figure-supported bowls carved between 1865-85 by master carver Patoromu Tamatea.