Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
Mail recovered from Titanic casualty
19 February 2024The British and US postal clerks aboard transatlantic liners had the duty of sorting the mail during the passage.
Lalique style leads selection of design classics at Chiswick Auctions
19 February 2024Lalique, the epitome of inter-war glamour, took centre stage at the Chiswick Auctions (25% buyer’s premium) Design sale.
Deaccessioned rare prints collection comes to Boston auction house
16 February 2024A remarkable collection of prints amassed by Winfield Robbins (1841-1910) of Arlington, Massachusetts have been deaccessioned and will be auctioned.
Mug commemorating real-life crime 1823 style flies to 10 times estimate
12 February 2024The murder of William Weare in the Hertfordshire village of Radlett in 1823 has been called the first trial by newspaper. It was also the first subject in the ‘crime and punishment’ series of earthenwares that proved curiously popular in the Victorian era.
Rediscovered society portrait is among five lots to watch
12 February 2024With estimates from £200, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week.
Gallantry top-seller: Crimean War naval VC
12 February 2024The best-selling gallantry medal of 2023 was offered at Noonans late in the year on December 6. The Naval Victoria Cross awarded to Seaman James Gorman at the Battle of Inkerman sold for a hammer price of £320,000 (plus 24% buyer’s premium) and now forms part of a private collection of Crimean War medals.
Lalique and Doulton star in Florida saleroom
12 February 2024A small 8in cast bronze relief or architectural element c.1900 designed by Art Nouveau and Art Deco master René Lalique was offered in Florida.
Deluxe rifle ‘belonged to Napoleon’
12 February 2024A hunting rifle believed to have belonged to Napoleon Bonaparte when he ruled as emperor of France led the line at Alexander Historical Auctions (25% buyer’s premium).
St Roch rises miraculously among New York lots
12 February 2024A Venetian Old Master painting of St Roch attributed to the circle of Giovanni Battista Tiepolo (1696- 1770) awoke from the slumber of a $600-900 estimate to hammer for $75,000 (£59,000).
Scrimshaw reminder of the whaler that was captained and crewed by African-Americans
12 February 2024A 19th century scrimshaw carved on board a whaling ship with an all African-American crew sold for $7250 (£5700) at Bruneau & Co (20% buyer’s premium).
Coins & medals: Stable currency but market is far from static
12 February 2024Total sales across London coin and medals auctions were £61.6m in 2023, just a fraction down on 2022’s record aggregate
‘Patience and taste personified’: more lots from the outstanding Ann and Gordon Getty collection
12 February 2024New York auctioneer remembers Ann and Gordon Getty as the latest lots come to market
Bony slept here: Souvenirs from Napoleon's surrender come to auction
09 February 2024A cache of memorabilia from the descendants of Captain Frederick Lewis Maitland – the officer Napoleon surrendered to aboard HMS Bellerophon on July 15, 1815 – is coming to auction.
London Scottish Regimental Trust to sell Victoria Cross to fund upkeep of Westminster home
09 February 2024The London Scottish Regimental Trust is putting up for auction one of the three Victoria Crosses that it holds.
Silver under the floorboards and vinaigrettes in the cooker
08 February 2024The extraordinary collection of the Bath dealer-collector George Withers (1946-2023) comes for sale across three days and two salerooms later this month.
Collection of Anglo-American art and antiques dealer Warner Dailey comes to Essex auction
06 February 2024Items from the remarkable collection of Warner Dailey come to auction this month.
Third Qing ‘dragon boat’ flask emerges in US
05 February 2024A famille rose porcelain moon flask, possibly made at the imperial kilns for the Qing emperor Jiaqing, took more than 75-times estimate at auction.
Pick of the week: Chippendale’s Brocket Hall suite
05 February 2024A set of six George III giltwood side chairs made by Thomas Chippendale for Brocket Hall, Hertfordshire sold at Dreweatts on January 31.
Petition crown sets British silver coin record
05 February 2024A new auction record for an English silver coin was set during the New York International Numismatic Convention (NYINC).