Latest News Articles by Tom Derbyshire
Fortune tellers and Egyptian tombs – all for just a penny
22 January 2024Penny in the slot machines known as a ‘Working Model’ came in many guises but, essentially, they all formed a large upright cabinet with a glass window top section.
The homing instinct – Vivien Greene dolls' houses
22 January 2024Dolls’ houses from the collection of a renowned expert and author came to auction in Kent.
Extensive dolls collection came from house where whole rooms were crammed full of displays
22 January 2024Special Auction Services is selling what it bills as ‘the largest and most valuable doll collection to been seen at auction for 25 years’.
Pioneering footballer inspires record bid
22 January 2024A trade card sold for a remarkable £26,800 hammer price was not only one of the earliest-known examples but also had the considerable appeal of featuring the first black professional football player.
Toy soldier guru James Opie holds last auction
22 January 2024The Late John Ruddle Collection of toy soldiers sale held at C&T (22% buyer’s premium) on December 6 was a very special occasion.
A new demonic possession: a 1950s horror film poster in demand at auction
22 January 2024Dana Andrews, Peggy Cummins and Niall MacGinnis are not exactly household names these days but they starred in what is now regarded as one of the best horror films of the 1950s.
Photo collection offers huge mix of eclectic subjects
22 January 2024A huge collection of black and white, celluloid negatives was described by the Lincoln auction house that offered them as a ‘magnificent, massive, eclectic mix of subjects’.
Scarce Man U programme from game cancelled after the Munich air crash
22 January 2024One of the world’s rarest football programmes is for a game abandoned due to tragedy: the Munich air crash of 1958.
Football trade card portraying first black professional player Arthur Wharton takes astonishing £26,800
17 January 2024A trade card sold for a remarkable £26,800 hammer price was not only one of the earliest-known examples but also had the considerable appeal of featuring the first black professional football player.
Winston Churchill's false teeth and RAF Book of Heroes signed by Douglas Bader come to a Cotswolds saleroom
17 January 2024Stubs of cigars smoked by Winston Churchill are common visitors to auctions. But it is pretty rare to find his gnashers on offer.
Scarce Manchester United programme for Wolves game called off after Munich disaster sells at auction
16 January 2024One of the world’s rarest football programmes is for a game abandoned due to tragedy: the Munich air crash of 1958.
An Evelyn De Morgan drawing is among five lots to watch
15 January 2024With estimates from £100, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week.
Baggies bonanza as West Brom FA Cup winner's medal from 1931 nets £5000
15 January 2024An FA Cup winner’s medal awarded to a club’s assistant secretary may not sound that much of a big deal.
Making a match – football shirts worn in action sought by collectors
15 January 2024The growth in the market for vintage football tops connected to popular players continues apace
Panini also a World Cup winner in 1970 – plus Newton Heath trade card
15 January 2024The 1970 World Cup was the breakthrough year for Panini.
Single owner collection of football pictures pitch up in the saleroom
15 January 2024The magic of the cup helped to sell a sizeable scene showing a Corinthians v Manchester City game offered as part of an extensive selection of works on a football theme which featured at Bonhams (28% buyer’s premium).
FA Cup medal takes £5000 at Harper Field
11 January 2024An FA Cup winner's medal awarded to a club's assistant secretary may not sound that much of a big deal.
Early Kodak camera discovery leads to unexpected development
08 January 2024The story of how a camera collector made an intriguing discovery after buying a very early Kodak camera
An Art Deco silver cigarette box is among five lots to watch
08 January 2024With estimates from £100, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week.