Latest News Articles by Tom Derbyshire
Kelmscott Press presented in full at auction sells in full
20 January 2025Collector’s complete set of books from Morris’ publishing project comes to a saleroom for first time in 50 years
Sad to part with a teddy bear collection but happy at the result
20 January 2025Private British buyers dominated proceedings as the Teddy Bears of Witney went under the hammer at Special Auction Services (20% buyer’s premium) in Newbury.
Sherlock Holmes moves from mags to book form
20 January 2025The first two great collections of Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories were gathered from their original appearances in Strand Magazine by its proprietor George Newnes (Southampton Street and Exeter Street, Strand, London) and issued in book form.
No 1 Barbie in swimsuit bidder takes the plunge at £7000
20 January 2025The highlight of an extensive selection of Barbie dolls offered at Wessex Auction Rooms (19% buyer’s premium) proved to be, as predicted, an example of the very earliest produced.
European discovery of Australia and the Pacific documented in detail
20 January 2025Peter Arnold’s (20% buyer’s premium) auction of the first part of the Alexander Collection held in Melbourne, Australia, achieved a selling rate of 80% with 15 lots sold in the following days, all at the reserves, to several buyers.
Pick of the Week: An incentive to stay in Canada
13 January 2025British regiments stationed in Canada in the early to mid- 19th century suffered from a peculiar problem: soldiers had a habit of deserting across the American border.
Winnie the Pooh archive offers a 'unique opportunity' for collectors
13 January 2025A previously unseen Winnie the Pooh archive is on offer at Stourbridge saleroom Fieldings on January 16.
American touches catch the eye as German toy loco steams into sale
13 January 2025Although made in Nuremberg by a firm named after a Frenchman, the cowcatcher on the front of this Gauge 1 toy locomotive gives the game away as to the intended market.
The home decorated to luxury liner standard
13 January 2025Lanchester Road in County Durham is a route leading eventually into the village of that name, surrounded by fields but essentially unremarkable.
Fragment from HMS Bounty found in vendor’s attic heads to auction
06 January 2025A fragment from HMS Bounty that has been discovered in an attic is coming to auction in Derby on February 26.
Shannon’s Lady in a Black Hat inspired Augustus John
06 January 2025British artist Charles Haslewood Shannon (1863-1937) is closely associated with the Bloomsbury Group, the collective of writers, intellectuals, and artists in early 20th-century London.
British artist Shannon's Lady in a Black Hat revealed to be a model who also inspired Augustus John
02 January 2025British artist Charles Haslewood Shannon (1863-1937) is closely associated with the Bloomsbury Group, the famous collective of writers, intellectuals and artists in early 20th-century London.
Pick of the Week: Vardon into the swing of things
30 December 2024Unless you are a golfer, the name Harry Vardon is probably not a familiar one.
Cup recognised gallantry of Major Nunn
30 December 2024A George III Lloyd’s Patriotic Fund silver presentation two-handled covered cup was offered as part of the Fine Decorative Arts sale at Bonhams (28/27/21/14.5% buyer’s premium) in London.
Trafalgar swords shine brightest among Lloyd’s Patriotic Fund prizes
30 December 2024The Lloyd’s Patriotic Fund was formed at a meeting of merchants and underwriters at the Lloyd’s Coffee House in London in July 1803, to reward those who had displayed significant valour in the defence of Britain. The funds came via public subscription.
Napoleon may have been foiled in his wishes for exile but at least he enjoyed wine and fresh food
30 December 2024A pair of pistols that were presented by Napoleon just six weeks after his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo hammered at £30,000 in Thomas Del Mar’s sale of Fine Antique Arms, Armour & Militaria held at Olympia Auctions (25% buyer’s premium).
Hans Coper mural to go on display in Winchester after auction purchase
27 December 2024The Hans Coper (1920-81) mural that sold at a recent auction in Germany will be going in display in the UK this month, it has emerged.