Latest News Articles by Tom Derbyshire
Portcullis brooches boost value of Suffragette hunger strike medal sold in Somerset saleroom
24 May 2019With so many Suffragette medals on the market during the past year and a half, coinciding in 2018 with the centenary of votes for women in the UK, it is the added extras that can make all the difference to auction price.
Manchester City first ever FA Cup win in 1904 marked by Billy Meredith gold watch coming up for auction
24 May 2019When Manchester City lifted the FA Cup this month they created football history by becoming the first club to win all three major English domestic honours in the same season. A watch coming up for auction from a very different era marks their first ever FA Cup success, however.
Original artwork for James Bond You Only Live Twice 1967 film poster makes double top estimate at auction
22 May 2019The name’s McGinnis. Robert McGinnis. A name which may not be as immediately familiar as James Bond, but if you love all things 007 you will have admired his work at some point.
Faces from Firsts: Interviews with three exhibitors at the upcoming book fair in the capital
21 May 2019A trio of exhibitors at London’s rare book fair 'Firsts' ponder the market, their motivations – plus flooded shops and heavy metal.
Vietnam War 1968 shell shocked soldier photo sets Don McCullin world auction record
21 May 2019With photographer Don McCullin in the spotlight thanks to the recent Tate Britain exhibition of his hard-hitting work, it has been a good time to auction one of his most famous images.
Rusty and damaged Marklin toy train set found in a garage pulls away to £6500 auction result
20 May 2019It may have been rusty, damaged and lying in a garage in a state of disrepair but a pre-war clockwork toy train set still sold for a hammer price of £6500 at a Cumbrian auction house.
All aboard for bone ship models
20 May 2019Intricate representation labelled as a Royal Navy vessel has French prisoner-of-war origin.
King of Siam's golden gifts to an enterprising Dane
20 May 2019Two impressive golden bowls presented by the king of Siam to an enterprising Danish admiral, businessman and politician star in Bruun Rasmussen’s May 28 auction in Copenhagen.
Well-preserved example of the improved Second World War coding machine is up for sale
20 May 2019Codes are there to be broken, as the Second World War British team at Bletchley Park proved by cracking the German Enigma machines.
John Thomas Serres oil painting showing Plymouth was ‘early sat nav’ for sailors
20 May 2019An oil in gilt frame by John Thomas Serres (1759-1825) of 'The Entrance to Plymouth Sound' offered at Charles Miller’s (24% buyer’s premium) April 30 auction represented a primitive but effective early sat nav for ships.
Montague Dawson depicts a mystery race
20 May 2019A classic oil on canvas of yacht racing by renowned British painter Montague Dawson (1890-1973) was top-seller of The Marine Sale at Bonhams Knightsbridge (27.5/25/20/13.9% buyer’s premium) on May 1.
Russian sword owned by prince who died in action
20 May 2019A Russian battle sword is on offer at Morphy Auctions in the June 12 sale in Denver, Pennsylvania, estimated at $50,000-100,000.
Beatles 'Butcher' album cover sold for a record in Liverpool Fab Four memorabilia sale
17 May 2019John Lennon’s personal and signed ‘Butcher’ cover Yesterday and Today album prototype from 1966 sold for a record-breaking £180,000 ($234,400), including premium, in an auction held in Liverpool.
Pick of the week: Figurehead full of canine quality points way to £52,000 result at Charles Miller auction
13 May 2019A carving of a deerhound which once adorned a 19th century yacht more than doubled the house record for a figurehead at a Charles Miller auction in west London. The item sold for £52,000 had a royal connection but it was the quality and condition which secured the high price, said Miller.
Classic special forces beret brings a very special price
13 May 2019A classic SAS beige beret from the Second World War has sold for what is believed to be a record-breaking £17,500 hammer price.
Reminder of a female pilot’s wartime bravery at auction in Kent
06 May 2019A flying log book belonging to one of the female pilots of the Air Training Auxiliary (ATA) who became famous for ferrying planes in the Second World War has been sold at Kent saleroom C&T.
Manchester United winner's medal for their first ever league title sells at Glasgow auction
30 April 2019Manchester United fans distraught at the prospect of their arch-rivals City or… shudder… even Liverpool winning the title this season can perhaps take solace from earlier Red Devils successes.
Highlights from five medals and militaria auctions including fascinating Gallipoli photo album
30 April 2019Five medals and militaria auctions are included in a look at recent highlights from this ever-popular collecting field.
Tiny 'Protector’ palm pistol offered in Pennsylvania
08 April 2019This Chicago Firearms Co ‘The Protector’ palm pistol is estimated at $800-1200 in the Pook & Pook auction in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, on April 13.
Field marshal Chetwode’s baton consigned to Spink
08 April 2019To this day every Indian officer swears the ‘Chetwode motto’ as they commission into the army: The safety, honour and welfare of your country come first, always and every time. The honour, welfare and comfort of the men you command come next. Your own ease, comfort and safety come last, always and every time.