Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
White-gloves and a trilby hat for Dick Turpin sale
26 January 2024Sworders enjoyed a white-glove sale and a £406,000 total for the personal collection of Maurice Turpin (1928-2005).
From Walpole to Sunak, a prime ministerial autograph collection comes to market
26 January 2024A private collection comprising the signatures of every one of Britain’s Prime Ministers comes for sale at Chiswick Auctions this month.
Rare Northwest coast shamanic mask prompts tribal gathering in Royston
25 January 2024A 19th century Native American wolf mask, once used in religious ceremonies on the Northwest coast, emerged from the obscurity of a £50-100 estimate to bring £14,000 at auction in Hertfordshire.
A Scottish Wemyss Ware vase from a prolific collector is among five lots to watch
22 January 2024With estimates from £300, here are five previews of items coming up this week.
Lampshade highlights the work of Quentin Bell, the last of Bloomsbury
22 January 2024A lampshade painted by Quentin Bell sold for a remarkable £4700 when Adam Partridge (20% buyer’s premium) dispersed the residual collection of Michael Evans in Macclesfield.
Keeping the dust jacket was definitely not a dumb move
22 January 2024An original dust jacket made all the difference when Weiss Auctions (20% buyer’s premium) offered a first edition copy of Agatha Christie’s Dumb Witness in Lynbrook, New York.
Signed Fab Four photos are big hits with bidders
22 January 2024A c.1964 publicity photograph signed by all four members of The Beatles sold for £13,000 at Bristol auction house Auctioneum (21% buyer’s premium).
US president mesmerised by Lillie Langtry
22 January 2024Though largely forgotten today, Lillie Langtry (1853-1929) was probably England’s first superstar, moving effortlessly from the stage to high society.
Tobacco wealth fuelled commission of Tiffany vase
22 January 2024This extraordinary Tiffany & Co. silver and mixed metal vase has many of the characteristics of the firm’s chief designer and director of its silver works, Edward Chandler Moore (1827-91).
Donald Duck butts in thanks to ‘Walt Disney’ greeting
22 January 2024The Doll & Bears Sale at Vectis (20.83% buyer’s premium) in Stockton-on-Tees included this rare Disney Donald Duck from the 1930s.
Artist’s neighbour was Cubist legend
22 January 2024Pierre Hodé (1889-1942) learned his trade in Paris, a resident of the famous Bateau-Lavoiri building in Montmartre where his close neighbour was Juan Gris.
Early Newcastle silver sniffed out in Oxford saleroom
22 January 2024The earliest records of the silversmithing on the Tyne date from 1249.
Hawaiian high: Sandwich Islands noblewoman sells for 180-times top guide
22 January 2024Portrait of Sandwich Islands noblewoman who visited London on diplomatic tour in 1824 appears in Maryland auction
Lalique scents an opportunity at Illinois auction
22 January 2024For René Lalique, glass making represented a second career.
Pick of the week: Costume drama – the great Pinetti
22 January 2024A rare portrait of the magician Chevalier Joseph Pinetti (1750-1800) emerged for sale in Asheville, North Carolina.
English Civil War siege relics race away to hammer for 25 times the low estimate
22 January 2024This 19th century glazed wooden case containing musket balls, ceramic fragments and three complete clay pipes was eagerly contested at auction.
Nantgarw plate displays Pardoe’s decorating talent
22 January 2024Roseberys’ (26/25/20% buyer’s premium) final Fine & Decorative sale of the year included this recent charity shop donation: a Nantgarw cabinet plate decorated by Thomas Pardoe (1770-1823).
Silver plane travels well at small scale
22 January 2024A sterling silver scale model of the Lockheed TriStar aircraft was the top lot at Kinghams’ (25% buyer’s premium) Silver and Objects of Vertu sale in the Cotswolds.
Titanic memorabilia fascination surfaces once more at auction
22 January 2024A tartan deck blanket, a pocket watch and a first-class dinner menu were all top-sellers in the latest auction of Titanic, White Star and Transport Memorabilia at Henry Aldridge & Son (plus 26.4% buyer’s premium).
Morden map cards lead the way at Newbury auction
22 January 2024Auction offered near-complete example of the set that also formed a first pocket atlas of England and Wales