Latest News Articles by Tom Derbyshire
Can you dig it: Brunel Thames Tunnel archive of designs on offer in London auction
19 October 2017London is a city now thoroughly used to tunnels. Tube travel has become a normal way to get about the bustling capital and has been for many years. Meanwhile, the huge Crossrail project tunnel section heading east from Paddington is scheduled for December next year.
Impressive militaria at auction and a moustache to match
19 October 2017Apart from having one of the best moustaches you will ever see and a title almost as long as his facial decoration, De Weledg Heer P Lamaison Van Heenvliet put togather an impressive collection of military and related tribal artefacts.
British Rail totem sign sale reveals poetic tale of Dilton Marsh
18 October 2017When all the horrible roads are finally done for, and there’s no more petrol left in the world to burn, here to the halt from Salisbury and from Bristol, steam trains will return. So wrote John Betjeman in his 1969 in his poem in defence of the closure-threatened Dilton Marsh Halt.
Bomb alerts triggered off at two auction houses in same week
16 October 2017Bomb alerts disrupted two separate northern auction houses last week when the alarm was sounded over militaria items included in sales.
Second date announced for Olympia Antique Arms Fair
16 October 2017Hot on the heels of the stands being packed away at the first Olympia Antique Arms Fair – held on September 30 – the date for the second has now been announced.
Marine themes: more means moor at Keys
16 October 2017Keys is holding two specialist sales next year to whet the appetite. Not only does the Norfolk auction house have a shipshape selection dedicated to ‘local hero’ Nelson, but it has also secured the diploma collection of the Royal Society of Marine Artists (RSMA), Tom Derbyshire writes.
Peacock puts on a fine display
16 October 2017Huge new auction centre ready to launch on the edge of Bedford includes five salerooms...
St Ives group artists shine at reopened Tate St Ives and in national auctions
14 October 2017The picturesque Cornish seaside town of St Ives inspired a generation of now well-known artists and sculptors, most of whom are regular names at auction and in dealerships.
Star Wars Jawa figures up at auction show extra value of pristine packaging
12 October 2017Much as I enjoyed playing with my Star Wars figures, eagerly ripping them from the packaging instead of keeping them pristine would have damaged my earning power in future years had I consigned them to auction.
Export sought for Canadian VC sold in London
09 October 2017An unusual medals sale has led to an unusual outcome. An application is to be made to export from Canada the Victoria Cross group won by heroic Lieutenant Colonel David Currie after it was bought by a British private collector.
Sir Christopher Lee lifetime honours and awards come to auction
05 October 2017He was famous for film roles such as Dracula in Hammer Horror movies, Scaramanga in The Man With The Golden Gun, Lord Summerisle in The Wicker Man, Saruman in Lord of the Rings and Count Dooku in Star Wars. But Sir Christopher Lee’s role in the Second World War is also highlighted in a collection of his awards on offer at Spink on November 1.
Remember to always read the label
18 September 2017Details on the back of a pastel drawing lead to detective work and royal portraitist connection...
The First World War recruiting poster battle cry of Remember Scarborough
13 September 2017‘Remember the Alamo’ is the famous battle cry of the Texans after their comrades were overwhelmed by a Mexican force in 1836. But have you heard ‘Remember Scarborough’?
Charge of the Light Brigade medal group gallops into Carlisle auction
08 September 2017‘Into the Valley of Death, rode the six hundred…’ He had a way with words, that Tennyson fellow. And the Charge of the Light Brigade he was writing about also has a stirring effect on militaria collectors.
Painted cavalry Guidon rarity appears at Dix Noonan & Webb
04 September 2017A cavalry guidon (pennant) from the late 18th century is always likely to be rare – and rarer still if it is painted rather than embroidered.
Medal groups with family values at Charterhouse
04 September 2017Medal groups awarded to two members of the same family on offer at auction are not unknown but three together is definitely unusual.
Modern British wood engraver Guy Malet in sharp focus at Ditchling
31 August 2017British printmaking between the wars has enjoyed a resurgence in recent years with a auctioneers, dealers and museums and galleries all adding to a growing interest.
Dinky delights from extensive collections roar into two auctions
31 August 2017Collectors of Dinky toys will be delighted by two auctions coming up this month offering the ever-popular toy vehicles.
Paolozzi Tube station mosaic study bought at auction by brewers of Paolozzi Lager
29 August 2017A study for Eduardo Paolozzi’s classic Tottenham Court Road Underground stations has ‘come home’ after being bought at auction. Not to London where the original mosaics by the pop art pioneer are located, but to the artist’s home city.
First World war photograph: not so top brass
28 August 2017Militaria has the advantage of a wide price range for items. A photograph sold in Cirencester on July 7 was a good example of ‘more affordable’ levels.