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.

Howard Carter's suitcase

Famed archaeologist Howard Carter’s suitcase emerges at Elstob

21 February 2025

The archaeologist who discovered Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922 gifted his suitcase to his colleague and friend John Healey in 1939 and will now be auctioned at Elstob

Victorian butcher’s shop

Quirky contents of now-defunct Flambards theme park to be sold at Lay’s

21 February 2025

It’s not often that you find a Concorde cockpit, a Victorian pharmacy and a butcher’s shop appearing at the same sale.

Christie's auction

Five highlights from Christie’s auction of the Barry Humphries collection

20 February 2025

“Hello Possums”. Bidders were greeted by Dame Edna Everage’s imitable phrase as Christie’s auctioneer Piers Boothman took to the rostrum to offer the extraordinary collection of the late Barry Humphries (1934-2023).

Cigar case

Cigar case given to Navy lieutenant by Spanish leader offered at Noonans

19 February 2025

When General Baldomero Espartero (1793-1879) disembarked the Royal Navy steam vessel Prometheus in 1843 and set foot on English soil, he was enormously relieved.

1936 Olympic Gold Medal

1936 Olympic gold medal set to star at Graham Budd Auctions

19 February 2025

A 1936 Olympic gold medal, a 1931-32 Football League Division 1 winner’s medal and a Ferenc Puskas Real Madrid shirt are among some of the sporting memorabilia items on sale at Graham Budd Auctions on March 3-6.

2682PV Comic Book Auctions Oz

'Particularly tough to find': Rare first copy of the notorious Oz magazine is up for sale

18 February 2025

'Oz' magazine became the leading underground publication of its day after it came out in 1967.

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German toys collection comes full of character

17 February 2025

A gentleman (Dukatenscheißer) with his trousers pulled down excreting a gilt metal coin from his bottom or a composition nodder of a grotesque women beating a child might not be for everyone.

Works in Architecture by Robert and James Adam

Book that inspired neoclassical architecture in the UK to appear at Dreweatts

17 February 2025

'Works in Architecture' by Robert and James Adam is considered by many as the 18th century’s most important book on architecture

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Magic Mini and a magnificent ark star in US salerooms

17 February 2025

Candy and Andy were just like any other children in the late 1960s, except that they lived with two pandas called Mr and Mrs Bearanda and owned a Mini called Stripey.

Books and works on paper auction calendar, February 19 to March 6, 2025

17 February 2025

Our regular listing of UK and Irish sales of books and works on paper

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Royal Doulton workshop design books fly to 14 times estimate

17 February 2025

Estimated at £200-300 but sold for £4200 at Charterhouse (25% buyer’s premium) in Sherborne, Dorset, were two design books from the Royal Doulton workshop floor.

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Martin Luther 1534 Bible answers saleroom’s prayers in first auction appearance for over a century

17 February 2025

A 16th century bible in German was the most expensive book sold at auction in the UK in December.

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Movers and shakers: latest art trade appointments including a new head of motorsport at Graham Budd

17 February 2025

The latest jobs moves and appointments across the world of art and antiques

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Vendor probably over the moon with Vichy price

17 February 2025

The top lot in Potter & Potter’s (25% buyer’s premium) latest Wunderkammer Sale was Gustave Vichy’s (1839-1904) 'Aubade a la lune' (Serenade to the Moon) mechanical automaton. It is considered a signature model of the firm.

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ATG letter: Cuneo workshop visit was later

17 February 2025

Your report on Onslows’ sale of posters (Auction Reports, ATG No 2678) states that “Terence Cuneo’s well-known poster Giants Refreshed was printed in 1939 for the LNER”.

13.2.25 Careless Talk Costs Lives Pub Poster

Careless Talk Costs Lives posters appear at auction

14 February 2025

A complete set of 'Careless Talk Saves Lives' posters by Punch cartoonist Fougasse (1887-1965) appeared at Jones & Jacob in Oxfordshire

Marye The Quene

Mary I’s Wyatt Rebellion response letter doubles estimate

12 February 2025

A letter from Mary I (1516-1558) to privy councillor William Paget on the outbreak of Wyatt's Rebellion doubled its lower estimate at Edinburgh auction house Lyon & Turnbull.

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Lord of the Rings full signed set makes six figures at Forum

10 February 2025

Forum Auctions has set a record for a copy of JRR Tolkien’s 'The Lord of the Rings'.

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Pick of the Week: On the scent of Chanel No 5 classic bottle

10 February 2025

Chanel No 5 was perfected in the late summer and autumn of 1920 by the French-Russian chemist and perfumer Ernest Beaux.

Coins and medals: Roma collapse hits market totals

10 February 2025

The closure of Roma Numismatics and competition from overseas meant total sales across London coins and medals auctions fell to £51.7m in 2024.

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