Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
Animal attractions pointed out from Bristol station
02 December 2024This enamel sign - possibly an early AA tourist sign - is thought to have been displayed at Bristol Temple Meads railway station to direct arriving passengers to The Clifton Zoo.
Market test for Test the Best
02 December 2024Cadbury's advertising sign on offer in Staffs saleroom
Meats with approval: ever-popular Palethorpes sign at auction
02 December 2024Many collectors own examples of Palethorpes signs for sausages and pork pies.
Dealer marks 200th anniversary of infamous forger Henry Fauntleroy’s execution
30 November 2024Today, November 30, 2024, marks the 200th anniversary of the hanging of the banker and forger, Henry Fauntleroy (1784-1824).
Early enamel sign for the world's oldest provincial zoo sells at over three times estimate
28 November 2024This enamel sign – possibly an early AA tourist sign – is thought to have been displayed at Temple Meads Train Station to direct arriving passengers to The Clifton Zoo.
Christo design for ‘the world’s largest contemporary sculpture’ sells at Chiswick Auctions
26 November 2024An original drawing for the project that Christo (1935-2020) intended as his only permanent, large-scale public artwork emerged at a recent Chiswick Auctions sale.
Channel Islands table makes 22 times estimate
25 November 2024This handsome Georgian mahogany silver or china table soared above expectations at an auction in the Channel Islands.
Bidder catches silver fox at £100,000 hammer
25 November 2024A spectacular Victorian silver fox modelled by taxidermist James Rowland Ward sold for £100,000 at Tennants on November 16.
Lowestoft birth tablet is among five lots to watch
25 November 2024With estimates from £2000, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week
Country house was furnished thanks to three fortunes made
25 November 2024The residual contents of Yorkshire country house Copgrove Hall were sold by Duggleby Stephenson (25% buyer’s premium) in York.
‘Dutch lady’ now thought to depict a German Jew
25 November 2024When it was last sold 30 years ago, Chinese export figures of this rare type were thought to depict a Dutch lady - perhaps the wife of a governor of Batavia.
Jewellery auction previews in time for Christmas all at 'affordable' levels
25 November 2024As the gift-giving season arrives, jewellery seldom disappoints. Pictured here are a range of antique and vintage jewels coming up for sale in the next couple of weeks, all with estimates under £1500.
Poem 'survives as unique text' in a late 15th century Italian manuscript
25 November 2024A recent sale at Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood (26% buyer’s premium) in Exeter included a late 15th century Italian manuscript that is thought to be a codex unicus.
Hongs held crucial role for Chinese export porcelain
25 November 2024Maryland auction offers a fascinating collection of Chinese porcelain intended for foreign markets
Mexican made in colonial era – fine South American objects at auction
25 November 2024A single-owner collection of Antiquities & Oddities offered without reserve by Shapiro Auctions 30/29/18.9% buyer’s premium) in Mamaroneck, New York included several fine South American objects made in the Spanish colonial era.
Story tellers: How jewellery pieces with a fascinating background boost value
25 November 2024While the buying audience still loves its brand names and big stones, jewellery with a narrative is a strength of the market
Fab Four phonograph is a hit
25 November 2024The Beatles Memorabilia Auction at Tracks (25% buyer’s premium) in Chorley, Lancashire included one of the most desirable of all commercial Fab Four items: the 1964 Beatles record player by NEMS Enterprises.
Modern classics by female designers in focus
25 November 2024The French-American sculptor Niki de Saint Phalle (1930-2002) started making jewellery in the early 1970s after she was introduced to the Italian goldsmith Giancarlo Montebello in Paris.
Dickin Medal earned by ‘Dog of War’ is up for sale
18 November 2024A Dickin Medal – the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross – is expected to reach £30,000-40,000 at coin and medal auction specialist Morton & Eden in London on December 4.