Latest News Articles by Tom Derbyshire
Well-preserved example of the improved Second World War coding machine is up for sale
20 May 2019Codes are there to be broken, as the Second World War British team at Bletchley Park proved by cracking the German Enigma machines.
John Thomas Serres oil painting showing Plymouth was ‘early sat nav’ for sailors
20 May 2019An oil in gilt frame by John Thomas Serres (1759-1825) of 'The Entrance to Plymouth Sound' offered at Charles Miller’s (24% buyer’s premium) April 30 auction represented a primitive but effective early sat nav for ships.
Montague Dawson depicts a mystery race
20 May 2019A classic oil on canvas of yacht racing by renowned British painter Montague Dawson (1890-1973) was top-seller of The Marine Sale at Bonhams Knightsbridge (27.5/25/20/13.9% buyer’s premium) on May 1.
Russian sword owned by prince who died in action
20 May 2019A Russian battle sword is on offer at Morphy Auctions in the June 12 sale in Denver, Pennsylvania, estimated at $50,000-100,000.
Beatles 'Butcher' album cover sold for a record in Liverpool Fab Four memorabilia sale
17 May 2019John Lennon’s personal and signed ‘Butcher’ cover Yesterday and Today album prototype from 1966 sold for a record-breaking £180,000 ($234,400), including premium, in an auction held in Liverpool.
Pick of the week: Figurehead full of canine quality points way to £52,000 result at Charles Miller auction
13 May 2019A carving of a deerhound which once adorned a 19th century yacht more than doubled the house record for a figurehead at a Charles Miller auction in west London. The item sold for £52,000 had a royal connection but it was the quality and condition which secured the high price, said Miller.
Classic special forces beret brings a very special price
13 May 2019A classic SAS beige beret from the Second World War has sold for what is believed to be a record-breaking £17,500 hammer price.
Reminder of a female pilot’s wartime bravery at auction in Kent
06 May 2019A flying log book belonging to one of the female pilots of the Air Training Auxiliary (ATA) who became famous for ferrying planes in the Second World War has been sold at Kent saleroom C&T.
Manchester United winner's medal for their first ever league title sells at Glasgow auction
30 April 2019Manchester United fans distraught at the prospect of their arch-rivals City or… shudder… even Liverpool winning the title this season can perhaps take solace from earlier Red Devils successes.
Highlights from five medals and militaria auctions including fascinating Gallipoli photo album
30 April 2019Five medals and militaria auctions are included in a look at recent highlights from this ever-popular collecting field.
Tiny 'Protector’ palm pistol offered in Pennsylvania
08 April 2019This Chicago Firearms Co ‘The Protector’ palm pistol is estimated at $800-1200 in the Pook & Pook auction in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, on April 13.
Field marshal Chetwode’s baton consigned to Spink
08 April 2019To this day every Indian officer swears the ‘Chetwode motto’ as they commission into the army: The safety, honour and welfare of your country come first, always and every time. The honour, welfare and comfort of the men you command come next. Your own ease, comfort and safety come last, always and every time.
The special ops striptease
08 April 2019When British Special Operations Executive (SOE) agents were parachuted into occupied Europe in the Second World War speed was vital. Not only did they have to jump from sub-radar altitudes as low as 400ft, hitting the ground within 10-15 seconds, but they also had to make a quick getaway.
Snaring the Scharnhorst
08 April 2019Once the Tirpitz had been damaged by midget submarines (see main story this section), the German battle cruiser Scharnhorst was left to tackle British convoys to Russia alone. A trap was set by the Royal Navy in December 1943.
Bids for Albert Ball VC’s crash landing
08 April 2019Captain Albert Ball (1896-1917) is remembered as one of Britain’s greatest heroes of the skies. At the time of his death over Arras in the First World War, aged just 19, he had shot down at least 44 German planes and was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.
Private Trickett’s very lucky penny
08 April 2019A collection of First World War memorabilia relating to British army Private John Trickett – including an 1889 copper penny apparently bent when a bullet hit his breast pocket – brought a multi-estimate sum at Hansons (20% buyer’s premium) of Etwall on March 22.
Saleroom glory for the 17th Lancers
08 April 2019If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then the British were clearly impressed by the French lancer regiments they encountered during the Napoleonic Wars. The first British lancer regiments were established in 1816, just a year after Waterloo.
Protecting the monarch since the days of Henry VIII
08 April 2019Until March 17, 1834, Her Majesty’s Body Guard of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms was known as The Honourable Band of Gentlemen Pensioners.
Eyewitness sketches of the Indian Mutiny emerge at Olympia Auctions
08 April 2019A 2m (6ft 7in) pen and ink drawing, estimated at £5000-7000 in Olympia Auctions on April 17 in west London, forms an intriguing eyewitness view of the final moments of the Indian Mutiny.
Penning an escape from the Battle of Arnhem
08 April 2019A 23-year-old paratrooper’s account of escaping the Battle of Arnhem sold for £3200, over 10 times the top estimate at 1818 Auctioneers (20% buyer’s premium inc VAT) of Milnthorpe, Cumbria, on March 5.