Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
Signatures boost Live Aid poster price
11 May 2020This original poster marks Live Aid, the dual-venue benefit concert held simultaneously in London and Philadelphia on July 13, 1985.
Légion d'honneur sword and early ventriloquist's doll are among five auction highlights that caught bidders’ eyes
08 May 2020ATG’s selection of hammer highlights this week includes a rare French First Empire sword for a Légion d'honneur recipient that made over 35-times estimate.
Chinese blue and white vase sets auction record at online sale
05 May 2020A Chinese blue and white vase achieved a hammer price of over £3m at an online auction that closed in Singapore this week.
Pick of the week: Recognise the face? Probably not, but striking selfie sets major record
04 May 2020A self-portrait by the hitherto little-known Modern British artist Michael Gilbery (1913-2000) sold for a record £10,700 at auction in Lichfield last week.
French auctions prepare to return as Drouot aims to reopen on May 25
04 May 2020The Paris auction centre Hôtel Drouot intends to reopen on May 25, pending “any government counter-argument”.
Is this one’s best side? Rare portrait photographs of the Queen sold in Peterborough auction
04 May 2020This set of nine portrait photographs of the Queen were those used to create Canadian bank notes in the 1960s.
Ancient Greek helmet and Martin Brothers’ vase are among four lots to watch at auction this week
04 May 2020With estimates from £50-9000 here are four previews of upcoming items this week.
Georgian card table at Chorley's stands out from the pack
04 May 2020Such has been the fall in prices of Georgian card tables that it has become the norm for auctioneers to estimate most at well below £1000.
Dr No rubs shoulders with caddies and dishes
04 May 2020Among 83 lots of film and entertainment memorabilia offered at Lacy Scott & Knight (20% buyer’s premium) in Bury in St Edmunds was a British quad-size poster for 'Dr No', the first James Bond film starring Sean Connery released in 1962.
Remarkable Rice collection of porcelain dispersed at Gorringe’s
04 May 2020Across the past 13 months Gorringe’s (21% buyer’s premium) in Lewes has dispersed the remarkable assemblage of English porcelain formed by the collector and academic Dr Dennis G Rice.
Maltese connection lifts maiolica storage jar
04 May 2020The latest Fine Interiors sale at Sworders (25% buyer’s premium) included among the opening lots this large 22in (54cm) high maiolica storage jar.
Welsh wonderland of ceramics manufacturers
04 May 2020From Ewenny to Llanelly, Nantgarw and Swansea, ceramics produced in the region over many years is a strong feature of this market.
Von Brühl’s tailor rides his goat and fabled groups add a light touch
04 May 2020By tradition, Count Heinrich von Brühl (1700-63), chief minister and favourite to Augustus III, was a man famed for his fashion sense. His tailor was thus an important part of his entourage.
Purdey & Sons rifle made for a royal tour of India sells at Gavin Gardiner
04 May 2020A Purdey & Sons double-barrel hammer rifle built in 1875 for the Prince of Wales’ Indian tour of 1875-76 sold for £8000 at the Gavin Gardiner (25% buyer’s premium) live online auction of Modern & Vintage Sporting Guns on April 22.
Prince Charles investiture chairs emerge at Cardiff auction
04 May 2020The investiture of the Prince of Wales in July 1969 was a pageant for the television age: held at Caernarfon Castle on a circular dais beneath a transparent Perspex canopy.
Walnut longcase clock signed for Golden Age maker sparks bidding in Yorkshire
04 May 2020Estimated at just £1000-1500, this late-17th century walnut eight-day longcase clock sold via thesaleroom.com for £11,000 at Elstob & Elstob (22% buyer’s premium) in Ripon.
A collection to fire the imagination
04 May 2020Norfolk auction house sells 11 guns with provenance to one of the most renowned enthusiasts
Auction previews: issue 2441
04 May 2020The auction calendar has been much changed by Covid 19 restrictions. However, as indicated by these lots offered for sale in May, some UK auctioneers continue to transact behind closed doors holding ‘live online’ sales with bids taken via bidding platforms such as thesaleroom.com or over the phone. Typically purchases can either be collected safely and couriered, or stored by the auctioneers until the current government guidance is lifted.
Christopher Dresser vase, Live Aid poster and photographs of the Queen are among five auction highlights that caught bidders’ eyes
01 May 2020ATG’s selection of hammer highlights this week includes an original poster of Live Aid from 1985 that made nearly 10-times over estimate.
Auction calendar begins revival via the virtual rostrum
27 April 2020After a month’s hiatus, a number of top-tier regional auction houses are returning to the rostrum to conduct ‘live online’ sales.