Latest News Articles by Tom Derbyshire
Smoke detectors in the saleroom: bidders focus on a super tobacconist's figure
09 January 2026This carved wooden tobacconist figure or ‘Cigar Indian’ came to Ewbank’s (25% buyer’s premium) auction in Send, Surrey, by descent through the vendor’s family.
Whisper about a Blyton debut
09 January 2026A rare first edition of Enid Blyton’s first published book, Child Whispers, hammered at £1400 in the Thomson Roddick (20% buyer’s premium) book sale on December 4.
Hero for both Leicester City and Scarborough fans
09 January 2026Not that many footballers can be “as deeply woven into Leicester City and Scarborough football history as Colin Appleton (1936-2021)”, it is true.
Member of the still undefeated GB tug of war team pulls in £6000 at auction
09 January 2026Did you know that Great Britain are still the Olympic tug of war champions? The City of London Police Team competed for GB in the 1920 Antwerp Olympics, winning gold – and the category has not appeared since at a Games.
The rarest Wisden – but which version?
09 January 2026Auctioneer finds out there are two variations of the 1875 guide, but a record is achieved nevertheless
Goalkeeper Pat Jennings dons white gloves for a sell-out auction
09 January 2026Once renowned for achievements wearing goalkeeping gloves, Pat Jennings (b.1945) achieved an auction white-glove result when his memorabilia collection sold out at Budds (24% buyer’s premium).
Children’s classic The Velveteen Rabbit clinches £5000
09 January 2026While not instantly familiar to many non-American readers, The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams (1881-1944) has never been out of print and its many reprints have sold over a million copies in the US alone.
No medal but a mini trophy instead for Premier League winner Paul Parker
09 January 2026Paul Parker will be fondly remembered by many England fans of a certain vintage for his role in the 1990 World Cup campaign (ignore the deflection over Peter Shilton for West Germany’s semi-final opener).
More than 1000 lots from Cumbrian castle offered at Tennants
05 January 2026An extensive collection of art, antiques and silver from Corby Castle, one of Cumbria’s most historically important mansion houses, will go under the hammer in a three-day sale at Tennants from January 22-24.
Andy Pandy and friends fascinate older fans
05 January 2026An original Andy Pandy string puppet from the BBC children’s TV show of the same name first aired in 1950 caught the attention at a Kent auction 75 years later.
Punk band Discharge were championed by Peel
05 January 2026John Lennon, Yoko Ono and U2 were among the big names making big prices at the John Peel Collection Part One auction held by Omega (25% buyer's premium) back in September (see ATG No 2708).
Not a ticket to ride for Paul McCartney but a licence to drive yourself
05 January 2026Paul McCartney famously sang ‘Baby, You Can Drive My Car’ with the Beatles but he could clearly drive himself.
Handwritten lyrics lead to reflections on Hendrix
05 January 2026These two pages of working lyrics for the Jimi Hendrix song Room Full of Mirrors (which later appeared on his 1971 album Rainbow Bridge) are handwritten on Londonderry Hotel, Park Lane, stationery.
Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham dressed to impress
05 January 2026When a pinstripe suit came up for auction at West Midlands firm Fieldings (26% buyer’s premium inc VAT) it had an interesting consequence.
Bounty hunter Boba Fett tracked his prey with a First World War flare gun
05 January 2026Boba Fett – one of the most feared bounty hunters in the known galaxy – was one of six hired by Darth Vader to capture the crew of the Millennium Falcon, and eventually caught up with them in Cloud City (ATG is not sure a spoiler alert is needed for early Star Wars films...).
Perfect for serving a bottle of lovely jubbly bubbly perhaps
05 January 2026Described by Fieldings (26% buyer’s premium inc VAT) of Stourbridge as “by repute used on the set of Only Fools and Horses”, this Mid-century cocktail bar came for sale guided at £500-600.
Behind the scenes on Planet Hoth
05 January 2026Collection of film crew member who worked on gruelling Star Wars shoot in Norway comes for sale
Welsh icon Richard Burton's coat features in Welsh Sale
05 January 2026The Autumn Welsh Sale (Part II) held by Rogers Jones (24% buyer’s premium) on December 2 included an item of clothing once owned by a Welsh icon: Richard Burton (1925-84).
Auctions show healthy demand for advertising memorabilia
19 December 2025Sales ranging from enamel signs to petroliana and breweriana generate a booming market