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.

Catalogues sell for six-figure sums

28 June 2021

Two lots offered as part of a Chinese works of art auction held by Christie’s (25/20/14.5% buyer’s premium) brought matching bids of £110,000 – far, far in excess of their estimates.

British and Irish book auctions: June 29-July 9, 2021

28 June 2021

Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions.

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Numbers rising at Charing Cross Collectors’ Market

28 June 2021

One of the longest-running niche markets in London has reopened post-lockdown and trader numbers are rising slowly, says Bridget Pettecrew, organiser of the Charing Cross Collectors’ Market in the arches below Charing Cross Station in London.

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Football history-making stopwatch sold in Birmingham

28 June 2021

The stopwatch used by English referee Jack Taylor in the 1974 World Cup final sold for a within-estimate £3300 at Fellows (23/15% buyer’s premium) in Birmingham.

Mouseman powder bowl

Mouseman powder bowl stars in our pick of five auction highlights

25 June 2021

ATG’s weekly selection of items that caught bidders’ eyes includes one of Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson’s smaller decorative pieces that made over three-times estimate in Yorkshire.

Horn beakers

Saleroom pulls ‘looted artefacts from Maqdala’ after Ethiopian appeal

21 June 2021

A group of Ethiopian works of art believed to have been taken during the Battle of Maqdala in 1868 has been withdrawn from a Dorset auction after the Embassy of Ethiopia intervened.

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George Washington’s slave purchase note comes to auction

21 June 2021

The opening lot in Hake’s June 29-30 auction Pennsylvania, is a 1767 promissory note hand-signed by a prominent Virginia slave owner – George Washington.

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Copy of the Declaration of Independence unearthed in Scotland heads to Philadelphia auction

21 June 2021

In 1820 the then US Secretary of State John Quincy Adams commissioned William J Stone to produce a facsimile of the original 'Declaration of Independence'.

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Wine bottles' journey through history to auction

21 June 2021

Two bottles of 1889 Tokaji Essencia, Zimmerman Lipot will be offered in Dreweatts’ Fine and Rare Wine and Spirits sale on July 8.

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Books and works on paper: Auction previews for summer 2021

21 June 2021

A selection of upcoming highlights from books and works on paper sales.

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Opium pipe blows away estimate in auction of Finch collection

21 June 2021

A tobacco pipe which opened the series and an opium one which ended it – interspersed by a cigar stub – met keen demand at Bellmans (22% buyer’s premium).

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Sale brought hours of delight

21 June 2021

Richly illuminated manuscripts from a ‘truly exceptional collection’ shine in New York

British and Irish book auctions: June 22-July 8, 2021

21 June 2021

Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions.

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Barber’s chair for a mini customer

21 June 2021

Doll specialist Theriault’s Summer Marquis auction will be conducted on July 10-11 in Annapolis, Maryland.

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Broders brings elegance at varied sale

21 June 2021

Poster Auctions International holds a 500-lot auction that includes Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Modern, and Contemporary designs by a mix of designers.

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Corkscrew is big catch at The Game Fair

21 June 2021

This silver salmon corkscrew, hallmarked Chester 1914, can be found in LAPADA’s dedicated pavilion at The Game Fair.

Emily Brontë

Fundraising begins for Brontë Honresfield Library collection after Sotheby's postpones auction to give museums more time

17 June 2021

Sotheby’s has delayed the sale of a library collection related to the Brontë family to give a chance for institutions to raise funds to buy it.

'The Oath of a Freeman'

Infamous forgery 'Oath of a Freeman' doubles estimate at US auction

17 June 2021

The 'Oath of a Freeman', one of the most infamous forgeries in US history, sold for a double-estimate $42,000 (£30,000) at Heritage.

Henry VIII gold medal

Henry VIII gold medal takes six-figure sum in Swiss auction

15 June 2021

A gold medal proclaiming Henry VIII as the Supreme Head of the Church of England – the only known example in private hands – has sold in Switzerland.

British Guiana Magenta stamp

Buy a share in the world’s most expensive stamp

14 June 2021

Stanley Gibbons, the buyer of the world’s most expensive stamp at Sotheby’s New York last week, said it plans to “democratise” its ownership by inviting the public to buy shares in it.

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