Latest News Articles by Tom Derbyshire
Playtime options of just the kitchen or a whole building
14 October 2024Despite the catalogue note “would benefit from sympathetic restoration to exterior”, the overall appeal of a rare 19th century folk art dolls’ diorama of a kitchen was enough to take the hammer price to £7000.
Rare German motorcycle and sidecar sought by collectors
14 October 2024An early clockwork model wheeled into a Buckinghamshire saleroom to get bidders into gear for an estimate-busting result
Auction house Fellows to sell entire collection of renowned Edinburgh jewellers
10 October 2024Auction house Fellows will offer the collection from Joseph Bonnar Jewellers, following the retirement of its proprietor.
'Wavy edged' Chinese export silver bowl features among five lots to watch
07 October 2024With estimates from £350, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week
Gainsborough portraits on public display for the first time
05 October 2024Four Thomas Gainsborough (1727-88) family portraits acquired under the Acceptance in Lieu scheme have gone go on public display for the first time.
Classic Kemp-Welch artwork reunited with its preliminary sketches after museum’s purchase
23 September 2024A landmark painting by renowned equine artist Lucy Kemp-Welch (1869-1958) has been reunited with the sketches she made to create the work thanks to a museum purchase from a dealer.
First Fantastic Four in super condition becomes the second most valuable Silver Age comic
18 September 2024One of only two copies of 1961’s Fantastic Four No 1 comic to be awarded a Near Mint+ 9.6 grade by Certified Guaranty Company set a record for this historic first chapter in the Marvel Universe.
Rare book on mining history features among five lots to watch
16 September 2024With estimates from £800, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week
Military policeman who risked his life in blaze rescue attempt received the Albert Medal
16 September 2024Lance Corporal James Smith of the Military Mounted Police, formerly of the Northumberland Fusiliers, survived the First World War but it was a moment of danger after the conflict that earned him a special honour.
Unusual militaria lot was tailor made for a museum purchase
16 September 2024A one-off find in the shape of a military tailor’s pattern book from 1895 has been bought by the National Army Museum (NAM).
Nameplate sale shows how a Sherman tank called Michael spearheaded Allied success
16 September 2024Along with the Soviet T34, the Sherman was regarded as one of the best all-round tanks of the Second World War.
Recruiting drive: First World War poster collection up for grabs
16 September 2024Specialist auction house Onslows’ November 29 auction includes a rare group of British and Irish recruiting posters form the First World War and a near-complete set of the Parliamentary Recruiting posters.
Bomb disposal bravery award recognises an unsung hero of the Falklands War
16 September 2024Wars are full of renowned acts of bravery in the face of the enemy but medals also salute the feats of many unsung military heroes who often go under the radar in recognition terms.
Thomas Daniell Calcutta plates in five-figure demand
16 September 2024Five plates from the series Views of Calcutta underlined the demand for work by Thomas Daniell (1749-1840) when they hammered at £24,000 in Edinburgh on September 4-5.
Militaria news in brief: eye catching results
16 September 2024A look at unusual lots that stood out in recent auctions
Soft cover Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone bought for £3.50 in 1997 now hammers at £6600 in auction
11 September 2024The bad news if you have a first edition of 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone' in soft covers is that they are not as rare as the hardback version which numbered 500 copies.