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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Good heavens, what a useful case to own

05 January 2026

An astronomical compendium sold at Rehm (22% buyer’s premium) in Augsburg contained everything that a 16th or 17th scholar of the heavens needed for observations.

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Handwritten lyrics lead to reflections on Hendrix

05 January 2026

These two pages of working lyrics for the Jimi Hendrix song Room Full of Mirrors (which later appeared on his 1971 album Rainbow Bridge) are handwritten on Londonderry Hotel, Park Lane, stationery.

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Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham dressed to impress

05 January 2026

When a pinstripe suit came up for auction at West Midlands firm Fieldings (26% buyer’s premium inc VAT) it had an interesting consequence.

Books and works on paper auction calendar, January 7-25, 2026

05 January 2026

Our regular listing of books and works on paper sales

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Bounty hunter Boba Fett tracked his prey with a First World War flare gun

05 January 2026

Boba Fett – one of the most feared bounty hunters in the known galaxy – was one of six hired by Darth Vader to capture the crew of the Millennium Falcon, and eventually caught up with them in Cloud City (ATG is not sure a spoiler alert is needed for early Star Wars films...).

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Perfect for serving a bottle of lovely jubbly bubbly perhaps

05 January 2026

Described by Fieldings (26% buyer’s premium inc VAT) of Stourbridge as “by repute used on the set of Only Fools and Horses”, this Mid-century cocktail bar came for sale guided at £500-600.

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Behind the scenes on Planet Hoth

05 January 2026

Collection of film crew member who worked on gruelling Star Wars shoot in Norway comes for sale

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Movie camera of type that starred in Buster Keaton film is now in the frame at auction

05 January 2026

A hand-cranked movie camera from 1908 was one of the stars at a recent sale at Auction Team Breker (21.8% buyer’s premium) in Cologne.

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Welsh icon Richard Burton's coat features in Welsh Sale

05 January 2026

The Autumn Welsh Sale (Part II) held by Rogers Jones (24% buyer’s premium) on December 2 included an item of clothing once owned by a Welsh icon: Richard Burton (1925-84).

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The stars aligned for Harvard professor and book collector

05 January 2026

Expert in astronomy and history of science amassed an impressive private collection of related works

Sèvres snuffbox

Friends of Versailles buy Sèvres snuff box at Bonhams

29 December 2025

A snuff-box made for Madame Adélaïde has set an auction record for a Sèvres box, selling for £150,000 (or a premium-inclusive £190,900).

ATG

Government launches consultation on licensing sellers of knives and bladed items

22 December 2025

Antiques dealers in bladed items are hoping to encourage collectors to respond to the latest consultation.

Taxidermy frog

A taxidermy frog cigarette box is among five lots to watch

22 December 2025

With estimates from £50, here are five previews of items coming up at auction over the festive season

Tolkien sale cancelled after questions raised over authenticity

19 December 2025

An auction claiming to offer personal items belonging to JRR Tolkien was cancelled after doubts were raised over authenticity.

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Costume drama in a small case

19 December 2025

So-called ‘talc pictures’ or ‘metamorphoses’ were fashionable amusements in European courts in the second half of the 17th century.

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Auctions show healthy demand for advertising memorabilia

19 December 2025

Sales ranging from enamel signs to petroliana and breweriana generate a booming market

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Shepard pooh-poohed the idea

19 December 2025

Illustrator famous for helping to bring alive the beloved bear preferred his other commissions

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‘He’ Bible was bought by a dealer

19 December 2025

A first edition, first issue of the Great ‘He’ Bible sold in York for £23,000 hammer was bought by Norfolk book dealer Simon Finch, it has emerged.

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Profiting from the demon drink

19 December 2025

Bizarrely, Ralph Fremlin – a devout Christian who founded Fremlin’s Brewery in Maidstone, Kent, in 1861 – was anti-drinking.

Books and works on paper auction calendar, December 28, 2025, to January 15, 2026

19 December 2025

Our regular listing of books and works on paper sales

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