Latest News Articles by Tom Derbyshire
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.
From a collector obsessed by all things Tipu
22 May 2026An Indian tulwar offered at JS Fine Art (26.4% buyer’s premium inc VAT) on March 27-30 came with the simple description: “A rare Indian Tulwar from Tipu Sultan’s armoury with a characteristic lion’s head pommel and guard (formerly in the private collection of Robin Wigington).”
US buyers target British sporting guns
22 May 2026Amid tariffs and Trump uncertainties, recent stories have concentrated on the difficulties of doing business with the US. However, the April 29 auction held by Gavin Gardiner (25% buyer’ premum) revealed all is not lost.
High quality from gunmaker to kings and a tsar
22 May 2026This bizarre beast of a gun is a William Smith of London 80 bore flintlock quadruple-barrelled volley pistol.
Captain Cook medal to go on display after selling at Tennants
15 May 2026A rare 18th century medal issued to commemorate the death of explorer James Cook is to become part of an exhibition marking the 300th anniversary of the explorer’s birth after being sold at auction.
Nelson’s final voyage in a replica Victory
15 May 2026While the Cheffins auction featured the original drawing for the Duke of Wellington’s funeral carriage (see main Art Market story in this edition), the funeral of another British hero of the Napoleonic wars was in the spotlight in a London sale.
Hornby trains building up a head of steam at auction
08 May 2026Prices for Hornby 0 Gauge clockwork railway toys have been rather flat for quite a few years now.