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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Märklin made for the American market draws major demand

25 January 2021

The cow catcher and bell on this Gauge 1 clockwork loco gives the game away: although made by German firm Märklin, the set was for the American market.

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Toys and models: Homes under the hammer

25 January 2021

Furnished dolls’ houses and accessories in general are proving the most dynamic area of the collecting market

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Let there be light in Staines

25 January 2021

Shown below is a page from another early railway-related work that did well at auction.

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All steamed up for a rail treat

25 January 2021

Dealership offers items from the excellent Sir William McAlpine collection at Forum Auctions

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Hokusai print, 18th century racehorse portraits and 1920s fountain pen are among five auction highlights that caught bidders’ eyes

22 January 2021

ATG’s selection of hammer highlights this week includes a one of only two known copies of James Roberts’ ‘The Sportsman’s Pocket Companion’.

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Chance to buy Westminster street signs at auction as London council upgrades its portfolio

19 January 2021

Westminster City Council is upgrading its portfolio of enamel street signs and is selling off more than 200 examples at Catherine Southon next month.

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Pick of the week: Aroma therapy – the c.1800 perfumes concealed in a book

18 January 2021

The luxury perfumery l’Officina Profuma Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella in Florence is considered the oldest pharmacy in the world.

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Man City owner was buyer of oldest FA Cup

18 January 2021

The oldest surviving FA Cup was bought by Manchester City FC owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed when it sold at auction last year, it has now been revealed.

British and Irish book auctions: January 20-February 5, 2021

18 January 2021

Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions.

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Souvenir suitable for a Jacobite

18 January 2021

These Jacobite roundels carry the portraits of Charles Edward Stuart (1720-88) and his brother Henry Benedict Stuart (1725-1807).

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The web shop window: Roger Broders' 1928 ski poster of Chamonix

18 January 2021

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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Noteworthy Dickens and Austen delight in NY

18 January 2021

Two of the best-selling literary lots in a New York sale were copies of Jane Austen novels.

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Hugs and kisses, Christopher Robin

18 January 2021

Mounted in an autograph book that was compiled from 1937 onwards by Miss Joyce Cartmell, a sketch of Christopher Robin was a highlight of a Yorkshire sale.

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Very earliest Christmas Carol sold in Philadelphia

18 January 2021

There were, inevitably, a few copies of Charles Dickens’ much-loved tale, 'A Christmas Carol', on offer at auction as the big day approached.

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Mikado mechanical bank among collection at Morphy Auctions

18 January 2021

On February 27 Morphy Auctions of Denver, Pennsylvania, will offer the mechanical bank collection of Bob and Judy Brady, assembled over a period of more than 40 years.

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‘Attagirls’ items fly high at two auctions

18 January 2021

Memorabilia relating to members of a pioneering elite group of female pilots who flew in the Second World War soared over estimates at two auction houses.

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Books and works on paper: Middle East volume set enthrals bidders

18 January 2021

Nineteenth century travel accounts by European visitors are sold in London auction

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Holy smoke and blistering barnacles – comics set records at auction

15 January 2021

A Tintin comic cover in France and a Batman number 1 issue in the US have sold for multi-million-pound sums at auction.

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A true mouse man carving comes to auction in Yorkshire

11 January 2021

The highlight of a private collection of Robert Thompson oak carvings to be offered by Tennants on March 6 is this curious anthropomorphic figure of the ‘Mouseman of Kilburn’.

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Pick of the week: Take tea with the queen – at a twelfth the normal size

11 January 2021

A copy of the Royal Doulton dinner service commissioned in 1922 for Queen Mary’s doll’s house sold for a top-estimate £30,000 (plus 25% buyer’s premium) as part of the Thomas Goode auction at Sotheby’s.

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