Latest News Articles by Tom Derbyshire
Snuffbox said thanks for shipwreck rescue
01 September 2025A silver snuffbox presented as a token of gratitude to a ship captain involved in the rescue of passengers from one of the most significant maritime disasters of the 19th century is on offer at The Cotswold Auction Company in Cirencester on September 9.
Personal messages play huge part in John Peel record collection prices
01 September 2025Rare vinyl such as demos and limited editions can generate significant demand at auction, but sometimes it is the personal touch that matters as well.
How to get ahead in advertising: huge single-owner collection brings a packed saleroom
01 September 2025First part of extensive array amassed by Mike Standen attracts strong results
Jukebox became a space-age design classic
01 September 2025The AMI Continental II jukebox appeared in 1962, a time when space race excitement was gripping the US.
London auction offers medals and flying gear of RAF hero who was part of Great Escape plot
29 August 2025Stanley Gibbons Baldwin’s Medals and Militaria Auction on September 17 features a collection of items from Squadron Leader Peter Cairns, who took part in the Great Escape breakout plot during the Second World War.
Jersey museum successfully bids for top secret Second World War D-Day landing maps and Channel Islands liberation plan
26 August 2025Four top secret Second World War documents are to go on public display at a Jersey museum after being sold at auction by Hansons.
Live Aid programme signed by Sting, Phil Collins and Queen members marked ‘the greatest show on Earth’
25 August 2025This year marks the 40th anniversary of one of the most extraordinary music concerts ever held: Live Aid.
Vivienne Westwood collection brings punk spirit of the 1970s to the Yorkshire Dales
20 August 2025What was thought to be the largest private collection of Vivienne Westwood (1941-2022) garments to be sold outside London went under the hammer at Tennants (24% buyer’s premium) in North Yorkshire on August 15.
The magic of an occult themed lot: £3 3s becomes £7100
18 August 2025Occult group listed by specialist bookseller in the 19th century reappears at a 21st century auction
Manuscript leaf flies to five times the low estimate
18 August 2025A late 15th century French illuminated manuscript vellum leaf achieved the stand-out result in a collection of illuminated manuscripts offered at Batemans (25% buyer’s premium).
Edinburgh auction pays homage to influential dealer Gillian Raffles
18 August 2025Gillian Raffles (1930-2021) was one of a very small number of pioneering female gallerists in Britain’s post-war art scene.
US space age jukebox inspired by Cold War rival shoots to £5000 top estimate result
15 August 2025The AMI Continental II jukebox appeared in 1962, a time when space race excitement was gripping the US.
Medals tell tale of Hong Kong police scandal
11 August 2025It’s not often that a group of medals offered at auction includes two that were in fact officially revoked. However, a lot that appeared at an East Yorkshire auction house on June 27 reflected a notorious tale of colonial corruption.
Tommy Cooper magic robe bought by illusionist David Copperfield
11 August 2025A robe worn by magician and comedian Tommy Cooper (1921-84) during the performance in which he which he suffered a heart attack and collapsed on stage has been sold at a North Yorkshire auction.
Promotional Porsche in miniature form powers to £1900
11 August 2025Even unboxed, this Matchbox Superfast 3c Porsche 911/930 Turbo with BP shield on the door motored away from a £100-150 estimate to hammer at £1900.
Duchess nameplate steams off at £18,200 hammer
11 August 2025Railway locomotive nameplates can bring large sums in the saleroom, even when they are included in general rather than specialist auctions.
Shawl was gifted by a very famous Victoria to Horatia
11 August 2025A fine Indian Kashmir shawl of intricate traditional design offered in Colchester included a sewn label 'Horatia E Erskine, June 26th 1861 (Indian) from H.M. Queen Victoria'.
Lusitania casualty medal pair and ‘death penny’ sell for five-figure sum
11 August 2025A “very rare” First World War pair of medals and memorial plaque to a female casualty of the SS Lusitania came up for auction at Mayfair saleroom Noonans (24% buyer’s premium) on July 16.