Latest News Articles by Tom Derbyshire
The Fug of war
12 June 2026During the First World War aviators of the Royal Flying Corps suffered from the cold over the Western Front. A solution was the ’fug boot’.
Helmet, goggles and gas mask soar way above estimate
12 June 2026Richard Winterton (22% buyer’s premium) offered what was described simply as a “post Second World War” leather flying helmet with goggles and gas mask on May 21 in Tamworth.
Maltese connection makes the difference in militaria
12 June 2026Auction lots for a while now have demonstrated a factor which may be termed a ‘Malta premium’.
Match-worn Pelé 1958 World Cup final shirt could hit a record
05 June 2026Pelé’s Brazil 1958 match-worn World Cup final shirt is up for auction with an estimate ‘in excess of $6m’.
Bidding fuelled by a big oil dispenser
05 June 2026This Carless, Capel and Leonard London forecourt oil dispenser cabinet rubbed bidders up the right way at The Aladdin’s Garage: A Private Collection of Petroliana, Automobilia and Advertising Signs sale.
Man Utd’s Gregg still revered by modern day fans
29 May 2026Collection of goalkeeper who survived 1958 Munich disaster generates a strong demand at auction, plus Liverpool FC favourites in focus at auction
Earliest Celtic FC winner’s medal nets a record for such Scottish memorabilia
29 May 2026On the day the 15ct gold and enamel medal Celtic FC’s latest Scottish title success clinched in the very last game of the season against Hearts came 133 years after their first.
Auction lots act as reminders of Hammers, Wolves and Spurs in happier days
29 May 2026A horrible season for West Ham, Spurs and Wolves has come to an end... but glory days for the clubs were recalled by several lots sold recently.
When the World Cup kicked off
29 May 2026The Sportingold (20% buyer’s premium) World Cup, International & North American Soccer Sale on May 27 was timed handily just before the 23rd World Cup begins in the US, Mexico and Canada.
Going back to the origins of Crystal Palace and Arsenal – postcards capture club pioneers
29 May 2026The two images of 1907-08 shown here are from a group of nine postcards relating to Crystal Palace FC that were given a modest estimate of £50-80 in the Paper Collectables sale at Toovey’s (25% buyer’s premium) on May 20.
HMS Victory model given to Margaret Thatcher sails away at auction
26 May 2026A model of Nelson’s flagship Victory made by French prisoners-of-war a few years before the Battle of Trafalgar which was later given to Margaret Thatcher has sold for a £92,000 hammer price.
19th century ‘Dandy Horse’ bicycle takes three times estimate at Sussex auction
22 May 2026A British ‘Dandy Horse’ bicycle made c.1819 was the earliest among a group of four rare 19th century examples on offer at Lewes saleroom Gorringe’s.
A master of martial arts and expert in Japanese martial arms and culture
22 May 2026Focus on a dedicated auction in Sussex that dispersed the single-owner collection of an Anglo-Norwegian who became fascinated by combat in the Far East
Lieutenant’s revolver finds new owner
22 May 2026A cased Powell and Son/ Tranter 4th model 54 bore percussion revolver was offered in a 14½ x 8in (37 x 20cm) oak case with the name plaque to the lid engraved Alfred Hancocks Lieutenant, 1st Worcestershire Volunteers Rifle Corps.
Swedish lots shine in latest Brooker collection batch as bidders take to the timed sale format
22 May 2026As a market probably regarded as more ‘traditional’ than many others, you might expect arms and armour collectors to be wary of online-only auctions. However, the latest timed online sales at Olympia Auctions (25% buyer’s premium) of west London show that bidders have embraced the concept.
Flintlock fuels a price way beyond estimate
22 May 2026Estimated at £500-1000, a “scarce” 10 bore military flintlock musket instead hammered at £9200 in the February 25 auction at Kent saleroom C&T (22% buyer’s premium).
Faces that appear from different eras of history
22 May 2026Art and antiques dealers have shared their latest finds with Antiques Trade Gazette including a 19th century copy of a Renaissance Madonna, a pair of portraits relating to a Scottish slave owner and a collection from a Second World War RAF bigwig.
Scottish connections count far south of the border
22 May 2026A “fine”.470 calibre percussion long range target rifle by John Dickson & Co of Edinburgh offered at the April 7-8 Antony Cribb (25% buyer’s premium inc VAT) sale was boosted by an inscription from the City of Edinburgh & Midlothian Rifle Association.