Latest News Articles by Tom Derbyshire
Mickey Mouse figure from the early days of Disney marketing
24 March 2025The Disney character was one of the first examples of using merchandise for promotion and early items are sought after by collectors
Very special Corgi James Bond submersible car surfaces
24 March 2025When it comes to collectables, the 007 films are on a level of their own. So much so in fact, that a Surrey auction house stages a dedicated sale.
Triang Minic LMS railway van delivers a strong result at auction
23 March 2025This tinplate, clockwork Triang Minic post-war LMS railway van 80M hammered at 10 times the low estimate in the Vectis auction on March 4.
Photography: Early achievers bring auction demand
17 March 2025Recent auction sales shone the spotlight on pioneering photographers active in the first days of the art
Haile Selassie signature on a photo seals auction interest
17 March 2025Described as “exceptionally large” when offered by Chiswick Auctions (26/12% buyer’s premium), this black and white presentation photograph depicts Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie (1892-1975).
Julia Margaret Cameron’s Tennyson connections
17 March 2025Julia Margaret Cameron was a neighbour and close friend of Alfred Tennyson on the Isle of Wight.
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.