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.

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How to get away with murder

22 March 2021

Collection offered in London auction included Agatha Christie and other crime classics

Victorian fishing reel

Victorian fishing reel stars in our latest pick of five auction highlights

19 March 2021

ATG’s weekly selection of items that caught bidders’ eyes includes a rare Victorian fishing reel that made over 10-times estimate in Dorset.

Wax seal matrix

Rare Scottish Stewart seal saved for nation

18 March 2021

A wax seal matrix bought at auction by National Museums Scotland has revealed how James V of Scotland (1512-42) treated one of his illegitimate sons.

Stuart Weitzman

Designer Stuart Weitzman’s treasures at Sotheby’s could set records for any coin and stamp

16 March 2021

Sotheby’s is staging a three-lot sale of exceptional items from the collection of luxury shoe designer Stuart Weitzman this summer.

The Mouseman of Kilburn carving

Pick of the week: Mouseman figures squeak for themselves

15 March 2021

The highlight of a £75,000, 30-lot private collection of Robert Thompson oak carvings sold by Tennants was an anthropomorphic figure of The Mouseman of Kilburn.

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Scurvy doctor's grant of arms makes four times estimate in Colchester

15 March 2021

This Georgian grant of arms document on vellum was presented to the celebrated Scottish physician Gilbert Blane (1749-1834) after his creation as a baronet by The Prince Regent in 1812.

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Dublin corkscrews and wine ewers draw strong competition at Adam’s

15 March 2021

Georgian silver bow corkscrews by Dublin makers are rare beasts and appeal to both silver collectors and helixophiles.

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Snuff box bidding battle in York

15 March 2021

This George III silver table snuff box by Phipps and Robinson, London 1814, is engraved to the cover with a plan of the battle of Talavera in the Peninsular War.

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Medical pioneer’s library sold at Bonhams New York

15 March 2021

Offered at Bonhams New York (27.5/25/20/13.9% buyer’s premium) was a first selection from the medical library of James Tate Goodrich (1946-2020).

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In praise of American independence

15 March 2021

In Praise of America was a very mixed sale of furniture, silver, folk art, prints, broadsides and more held in New York.

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Work of ‘modern day Grinling Gibbons’

15 March 2021

This late Victorian carved lime and soft wood panel is by James Peake (c.1839-1918), a carver and gilder.

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Sporting art touches down in saleroom

15 March 2021

Sporting subjects were very much in evidence and definitely among the best-sellers in an illustration art sale held in New York.

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Obesity crisis? But not in the saleroom it seems…

15 March 2021

Entered from the estate of an Ipswich craftsman-hobbyist, the corpulent figures shown below were two of his 144 wood carvings which met unexpected demand.

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Books and works on paper: Grimm and wonderful buys

15 March 2021

Famous brothers’ fairy tales take top spot in an exceptional selection of children’s works.

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Map shows heartfelt emotion

15 March 2021

Sold at $34,000 (£25,185) apiece, two very different lots headed the bidding in a New York sale of December 17.

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Daily life and world history in one

15 March 2021

A magnificent copy of Liber chronicarum, or ‘Nuremburg Chronicle’ as it is more familiarly known, made a record $350,000 (£265,150) at Bonhams New York.

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Cracking result, second time

15 March 2021

This 22-carat gold and enamel egg was the largest of a baker’s dozen made by Garrard in 1983 for a treasure hunt organised by Cadbury’s.

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Huge baths picture makes a big splash

15 March 2021

At nearly 7ft high, a fine example of a four-sheet coloured lithograph of the Sutro Baths sold for $10,000 (£7355).

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Howzat for an intriguing portrait

15 March 2021

Young cricket player stars among the varied lots from estate of journalist and author

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Talk of the London taverns as silver wares get snapped by dealers

15 March 2021

A recent sale at Dawsons’ (23% buyer’s premium) sale in Maidenhead included two George IV tablewares by Edward Farrell chased and embossed with tavern scenes in the manner of Dutch genre painting.

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