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.

English wooden doll

Best dressed Georgian girl brings $250,000 at US auction

24 May 2021

At 2ft 5in (74cm) high, this English made wooden doll c.1740 is unusually large.

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Early spectacles catch the eye in saleroom

24 May 2021

While Georgian spectacles are relatively common at auction, 17th century examples are a rarer beast.

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Art market: The bidding battle of Cape St Vincent

24 May 2021

Trio of family paintings depicting Jervis’ finest hour bring £90,000 result for marine specialist Charles Miller

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The call of bigger premises

24 May 2021

Albert Einstein letter on Communism is one of the stand-out performers in a Chicago auction

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Relics reflect Titanic rescue attempt… then body search

24 May 2021

Titanic specialist auction house Henry Aldridge & Son sells poignant items related to the rescue and recovery ships.

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An Americana extravaganza

24 May 2021

Early Declaration of Independence leads a line-up celebrating key historical events stateside

British and Irish book auctions: May 18-29, 2021

17 May 2021

Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions.

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Return to centre: Huge Elvis fan finds new home for dealers

17 May 2021

Following the closure earlier this year of the Pickering Antiques Centre in North Yorkshire, which opened in 2018, manager Mark Witherington has found a new home in the town for some of the dealers.

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Five pounds now valued at €700,000 plus

17 May 2021

Among the coins being offered for sale by the specialist numismatic auction firm MDC Monaco on June 12 is this exceptionally rare Australian gold five pounds coin.

Rare work detailed the trial of the last woman to be condemned for witchcraft in England

17 May 2021

Bid to £2000 at Dominic Winter (20% buyer’s premium) was a 1712 first of Francis Bragge’s 'Witchcraft Farther Display’d', a rare work that opens with an account of the case of Jane Wenham – the last woman to be condemned for witchcraft in England.

Cuddled up with a good read

17 May 2021

A couple of Winston Churchill letters were among the more successful lots in a second selection from a History in Manuscript collection* formed over the last 20 years and offered at Sotheby’s (26/20/13.9% buyer’s premium).

Napoleon

Remembering Napoleon 200 years after his death as demand rises for relics

10 May 2021

The bicentenary of Napoléon Bonaparte's death boosts demand for relics

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Warhol’s cat colleagues

10 May 2021

Warhol rarity sold in New York auction has feline theme

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Napoleon’s letter giving orders to invade of England sold at Sotheby's

10 May 2021

In the bicentenary year of his death, relics connected to Napoleon will inevitably catch the eye.

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Music box plays a big £27,000 part in auction

10 May 2021

John Gresham was a third-generation member of a wealthy Hull timber-importing family.

International book auctions

10 May 2021

A list of upcoming international books auctions.

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Price on a higher plane

10 May 2021

The choice element of a mixed lot offered in Chichester on April 16 was a Georgian walnut mitre plane stamped for Christopher Gabriel.

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Letter describing first-hand horror of Dunkirk sold at Bonhams

10 May 2021

The great British tradition of celebrating last stands and heroic defeats includes the evacuation of Dunkirk in 1940.

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Pioneers of rugby and football: Sporting dynasty's collection sold in Cardiff auction

10 May 2021

Remarkable Birkett family archive sold at Rogers Jones auction reflected the earliest days of organised sport.

British and Irish book auctions: May 11-29, 2021

10 May 2021

Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions.

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