Latest News Articles by Tom Derbyshire
Gory days gone by reflected in whaling photographs for sale
17 March 2025The personal photo album of a crew member of a post-war Antarctic whaling factory ship is for sale in April 29 at Charles Miller in London for an estimated £800-1200.
Chinese history lessons courtesy of British observers
17 March 2025The historic but compact English city of Lichfield and historic photographic views of China are not an immediately obvious fit but two auction houses made the connection recently.
Modern furniture made with the Niemeyer touch
11 March 2025As with Pierre Jeanneret and his vision for Chandigarh in India, Oscar Niemeyer (1907-2012) is famous for his involvement in the city of Brasilia as chief architect.
Lord Ashcroft left ‘hugely disappointed’ as museum shuts medal collection gallery
10 March 2025The museum gallery created to house the extensive collection of one of the most active British medal collectors of recent times is to close.
Violet’s autograph album featured great figures of the 19th century
10 March 2025The greatest actor of Victorian times and the creator of Dracula were among the notable figures featured in an autograph album sold at Surrey auction house John Nicholson’s (25% buyer’s premium).
Careful when going under a low bridge…
10 March 2025The Spirit of Ecstasy sculpture was created by Charles Sykes as a mascot for Rolls-Royce cars.
Jacobite collector bids five times estimate for Bonnie Prince Charlie letter
10 March 2025Letter sent from Holyrood implores a nobleman to support his course in the middle of the Jacobite Rising
Tom Roberts on track in Twickenham
03 March 2025Born in London, artist Tom Roberts (1856-1931) became famous on the other side of the world painting the people and landscape of Australia.
Letter outlines Bonnie Prince Charlie plea for support at crucial time in the 1745 Jacobite rising
25 February 2025An autograph letter from Bonnie Prince Charlie was among a group of Jacobite relics discovered among a wide array of antiques during a Georgian townhouse clearance.
Huge collection of early photos acquired by Historic England
24 February 2025When photography aficionado Janette Rosing (1942-2021) died, Pierre Spake wrote of her in an obituary in ATG (No 2485): “Like all true collectors she pushed the limits of her budget, often exceeding it."
Blown off course to occupied territory, Tommy the pigeon became an accidental hero to the Allies
24 February 2025Tommy nearly made the supreme sacrifice to support the Allied cause in the Second World War.
Postponed Hammers v Hatters match programme turns out to be a ‘grail’ purchase for collectors
24 February 2025When bad weather made the Upton Park pitch unfit for play on Saturday, January 17, 1959, it must have seemed fairly unremarkable.
Captured by the Shadow Catcher: Edward Curtis photographs at auction
24 February 2025Edward Curtis is famed for his photographs documenting the disappearing world of Native Americans
GC and VC make this a sale to see
24 February 2025Two excellent examples of the highest British awards for courage are coming up in the same London auction on March 11.
Camouflage airborne smock concealed remarkable secret
24 February 2025A British airborne forces smock offered in the C&T (22% buyer’s premium) February 12-13 auction told its own tale thanks to a remarkable discovery concealed within.
Against the odds – honours for the doomed Wilson's Patrol
24 February 2025Although much less well known than many ‘last stands’, medals for the Wilson’s Patrol in 1893 are prized by collectors
Robert-Houdin mystery clock greeted by real bidder interest
24 February 2025Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin (1805-71) began to develop the very first mystery clocks in c.1830.
Smart idea to portray golf courses not just the players
24 February 2025John Smart (1838-99) was one of the first artists to focus on golf courses themselves rather than the actual players.