Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
Gloves ‘given by Charles II’
24 March 2025The timed online sale of Books & Manuscripts at Bonhams Knightsbridge that closed on March 20 included a pair of 17th century embroidered gauntlet gloves that reference one of the most famous - and most romanticised - moments of the civil war.
Cheffins: looking back on a rich 200-year history
24 March 2025Cambridge auction house Cheffins is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year.
Top British honours shine in Viennese auction
24 March 2025Late 18th century Order of the Garter soars way over estimate as part of an Austrian sale
Dickensian world of blacking brought back to mind by stoneware bottle
24 March 2025Blacking ink was widely used in the 19th century for the cleaning and polishing of boots and shoes, floors and doorsteps.
Einstein signature and date teaches a lesson on value
24 March 2025The second tranche of material from a German autograph collector, the late Franz-Peter Bach, was offered by Anderson & Garland (30% buyer’s premium inc VAT) in Newcastle upon Tyne on March 5.
Medal marks the unpopular royal marriage of Mary and Philip
24 March 2025A Renaissance gilt bronze medal made to mark the marriage of Queen Mary I (1516-58) and King Philip II (1527-98) sold for £15,500 at Sloane Street Auctions (26.5% buyer’s premium).
Nice little earner: Wealth of Nations generates double the low estimate
24 March 2025Second edition copy of Adam Smith classic work sells at £8000 in Cumbrian saleroom
Carafe inscription reveals connection to the Kit Kat Club
24 March 2025An early 18th century onion-shaped decanter or carafe offered at Halls (24% buyer’s premium) in Shrewsbury was of particular interest for a point-engraved inscription to the body. It read 'The Kit Kat Club at the Fountain Tavern on the Strand'.
Waste material turned into ashtray not to ashes
24 March 2025The YZ-branded range of novelties – a whimsical selection of ashtrays, match holders, pipe holders, pipe racks etc fashioned in tropical hardwoods and cherry amber bakelite – was produced by walking stick and cane maker Henry Howell and Company in the 1920s-30s.
Bees create a buzz in the 17th century
24 March 2025Written by the English naturalist and apiarist Rev Charles Butler and printed by the Oxford bookseller Joseph Barnes in 1609, 'The Feminine Monarchie or A Treatise Concerning Bees' is considered the first book on the science of beekeeping in the English language.
A gift of the king: Civil War gauntlet gloves quadruple estimate at Bonhams
20 March 2025The timed online sale of Books & Manuscripts at Bonhams Knightsbridge that closed on March 20 included a pair of 17th century embroidered gauntlet gloves that reference one of the most famous – and most romanticised – moments of the Civil War.
Impressive 19th century furniture among highlights at sale of works from Welsh estate Plas Teg
19 March 2025Welsh auction house Rogers Jones conducted its largest house clearance in over 30 years this month – the principal contents of Plas Teg in Flintshire.
LAPADA fair will team up with luxury jewellery ‘collective’
17 March 2025The next LAPADA Berkeley Square Fair will partner with luxury jewellery ‘collective’ Haute Jewels.
Monumental De Morgan tile panel with impressive provenance takes £65,000
17 March 2025A monumental and important William De Morgan architectural tile panel with an exceptional provenance has sold for £65,000 in Stourbridge.
Exceptional Sèvres vases surface in New York State
17 March 2025A monumental pair of Louis Philippe period Sèvres hard paste porcelain vases has been sold in upstate New York.
Classic Art Week organisers confident about demand
17 March 2025The organisers of Classic Art London, the new marketing initiative designed to replace London Art Week (LAW), say they are confident of passing the target of 20 dealers for its inaugural event.
Martin Brothers group set for sale in Sydney
17 March 2025The Cheong family collection of Martin Brothers comes for sale at Bonhams in Sydney on March 27.
George Baxter Whitefriars results buoyant
17 March 2025In a market that waxes and wanes, recent sales suggest collectors are active and pushing up prices
French ‘Industrial’ clock generates interest in Canterbury
17 March 2025The French inventor André Romain Guilmet (1827-92) took out many patents for his ingenious designs including in 1868 the idea for a driving chain on a bicycle.