Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
Early hand-coloured prints of Canada star in our pick of six auction highlights
18 August 2023ATG’s weekly selection of items that caught bidders’ eyes includes a set of five prints of early 19th century Canada that sold at 17 times estimate in East Sussex.
Near-complete set of Piranesi’s views of Rome emerges in Germany
16 August 2023A rare near complete copy of Piranesi’s ‘Vedute di Roma’ comes to auction in Germany this month.
Bare essential of early photography field
14 August 2023Scenes of nudity in American Civil War photography are typically accidental or produced in field hospitals for medical study.
Pick of the week: Bear essential of the pot lid field
14 August 2023A single-lot auction conducted by the sealed bids process has set a record for a transfer printed pot lid.
Mr Punch jester’s rattle is among five lots to watch
14 August 2023With estimates from £40, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week.
Nidhogg nestles in Yggdrasil: a Viking bronze die for armour
14 August 2023A fine example of Viking metalworking was offered at Noonans (24% buyer’s premium) in Mayfair on July 18.
Plaquette pays tribute to – or mocks – speaker Lenthall
14 August 2023William Lenthall (1591-1662) was chosen as Speaker of the Houses of Commons at the beginning of the Long Parliament in 1640.
Cypriot ‘plank’ figure sets a mystery
14 August 2023Most terracotta plank figures from Bronze Age Cyprus have been found in Lapithos, a once important coastal centre on the north of the island.
Tutankhamen pharaoh tomb find detailed in three volumes
14 August 2023Account of the discovery of Tutankhamen’s tomb comes as rare set with dust jackets intact
Liner launcher mallet exempted from ivory trade ban
14 August 2023The ivory-made launching mallet and silver casket from the ill-fated RMS Empress of Ireland came for sale at McTear’s (24% buyer’s premium) in Glasgow.
Milk jug made for William Beckford’s Fonthill Abbey comes to auction
14 August 2023Ornate creation from Gothic fantasy comes for sale as part of the Bayreuth collection
Cheap cape but £21,000 for in demand Star Wars Jawa figure
14 August 2023The Vinyl Cape Jawa was the first Star Wars action figure to assume mythic status among collectors.
Heal's garden seat was fashioned from Churchill’s yacht
14 August 2023This Heal’s set of garden furniture added seasonal warmth to Great Western Auctions’ (24% buyer’s premium) Glasgow sale.
Oscar Wilde letter ponders inverted commas
14 August 2023A fine Oscar Wilde letter sold for £16,000 at Dawsons (25% buyer’s premium) in Maidenhead on June 29.
Royal Doulton bird jar stars in our pick of five auction highlights
11 August 2023ATG’s weekly selection of items that caught bidders’ eyes includes a bird jar reminiscent of the Martin Brothers original designs but made by Royal Doulton.
Copy of the ‘foundation book of modern Australia’ comes to auction
08 August 2023Following the arrival of the first British colonists and convicts to Australia in 1788, early accounts of the settlement on the continent were created.
Sower reaps benefit of a Millet likeness
07 August 2023A drawing of Jean François Millet’s (1814-75) most famous image generated unexpected levels of bidding in Alameda, California.
A Victorian Wellington chest is among five lots to watch
07 August 2023With estimates from £300, here are five previews of items coming up for auction this week.
Pick of the week: Convict turned his hand to art in Oz
07 August 2023Edmund Edgar worked as a house painter, engraver and lithographer in London.