Collectables

The term ‘collectables’ (or collectibles) encompasses a vast range of items in fields as diverse as arms, armour and militaria, bank notes, cameras, coins, entertainment and sporting memorabilia, stamps, taxidermy, wines and writing equipment.

Some collectables are antiques, others are classed as retro, vintage or curios but all are of value to the collector. In any of these fields, buyers seek out rarities and items with specific associations.

British and Irish book auctions: January 17-February 4, 2023

16 January 2023

Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions.

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Fortune favours the bold designer Cappiello

16 January 2023

Among the most eagerly contested lots in a sale of vintage posters was a set of three unrestored advertising posters by the Tuscany-born, Paris-based Leonetto Cappiello (1875-1942).

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Famous owner of Steiff bulldog boosts toy value

16 January 2023

A collectors’ timed online sale at Mallams (25% buyer’s premium) included a group lot of early 20th century juvenalia owned by a key figure in Second World War naval intelligence.

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Hoard of original Star Wars action figures discovered

09 January 2023

The Star Wars collecting world has been rocked by the discovery of a cache of original action figures still packed in original Kenner factory shipping boxes.

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Bijouterie shines and ceramics surprise in west London saleroom

09 January 2023

Eye-catching bijouterie attracted international buyers to Olympia Auctions’ (25% buyer’s premium) 320-lot European Works of Art sale.

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Letter details horrors of ‘Black Hole of Calcutta’

09 January 2023

Thought by the auction house to be an early copy, a letter that details the horrors of the ‘Black Hole of Calcutta’ in 1756 was sold for £2900.

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Paul Daniels sale creates touch of magic

09 January 2023

Collection amassed by the popular TV magician leaves bidders spellbound as nearly all items get away

British and Irish book auctions: January 10-31, 2023

09 January 2023

Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions.

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Transparencies bring to light the secrets of a French work

09 January 2023

Les Portes Fermées ou Les Doubles Surprises, a rare and tiny French work of c.1820, sold for £1600 at a Newcastle auction.

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Gillray drawing stars in a satirical selection

09 January 2023

Highlights from London auction also include art historian’s collection and extraordinary Orwell oddity

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European items abound in big collection

09 January 2023

On January 15-16 Andrew Jones in Los Angeles will offer over 550 lots of paintings, furniture and works of art comprising the collection of Jack and Ellen Phillips of California.

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Top stories this week – including news of an auction record for a Dunhill ‘aquarium’ lighter

08 January 2023

The most popular stories on this website over the last week included news of a Dunhill ‘Aviary’ lighter sparking a bidding battle at Chiswick Auctions.

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Dunhill ‘Aviary’ lighter sparks a bidding battle at Chiswick Auctions

02 January 2023

An auction record was set for an Alfred Dunhill ‘aquarium’ lighter at Chiswick Auctions.

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Herschel museum buys manuscript memoir

02 January 2023

Two Herschel family-related historic items – a Royal Society King’s medal and a manuscript memoir – have changed hands at auction and in a private sale.

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The web shop window: A Victorian prisoners' ‘pillow’

02 January 2023

Thousands of items are available to buy from dealers online. Here we pick out one that caught our eye this week.

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Historic Pathé Frères films reeled in at auction

02 January 2023

A treasure trove for film aficionados was one of the highlights at Auction Team Breker (24.8% buyer’s premium) on November 5.

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Famous canine Nipper finds his voice

02 January 2023

In these days of music-streaming, the once ubiquitous image of the mongrel Nipper listening to a gramophone is no longer such a familiar sight.

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Bizet and Caxton in the mix

02 January 2023

Highlights including signed opera score from a varied auction held in North Yorkshire

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Dealer Hawkins to sell townhouses tempters

02 January 2023

Antiques dealer and taxidermy specialist Emma Hawkins is selling a collection from her townhouses in Edinburgh and London at Sotheby’s this month.

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Pick of the week: Take tea early with an Elers English caddy

02 January 2023

Although Dutchmen John and David Elers came to London sometime in the 1680s as silversmiths, the brothers are remembered today as the potters who brought fine unglazed stonewares to Staffordshire.

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