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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Wigan Pier on the road to saleroom courtesy of a Wigan consigner

15 April 2019

Two first-edition versions of George Orwell’s 'The Road to Wigan Pier', the first part of which is an investigation into the working-class living conditions in Lancashire, Yorkshire and the industrial north, were published in 1937.

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Early Bausch and Lomb camera bid to £2400 at Southgate Auction Rooms

15 April 2019

Zooming to a rather higher than predicted result in a collectables auction held earlier this month by Southgate Auction Rooms (20% buyer’s premium) was this camera and slides.

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Vintage cameras and equipment snapped up by eager bidders at French auction

15 April 2019

A double helping of vintage cameras and photographic equipment was recently staged at Chartres by the Ivoire group Lelièvre, Pascal, Maiche, Paris (20% buyer’s premium).

British and Irish book auctions: April 16-27, 2019

15 April 2019

ATG’s calendar of book auctions taking place in the UK and Ireland from April 16-27, 2019.

Book of Hours

Valuable books missing since Second World War restored to Bonn library after being consigned to Sotheby’s

12 April 2019

Six-hundred rare books, manuscripts and prints which were lost or stolen from a German library during the Second World War have been returned after they were consigned to Sotheby’s.

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WH Smith archive of rare maps and signs heads to auction in Gloucestershire

12 April 2019

A rare map of Britain and lettering for signage painted by artist Eric Gill (1882-1940) are among the lots coming up at auction from a WH Smith archive.

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ILAB and ABAA launch book provenance symposium in New York

12 April 2019

As provenance requirements for the material institutions buy becomes increasingly strict, the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB) has launched a symposium in New York.

Harold Wilson

Collection from the “extraordinary life” of Harold Wilson and his wife Mary comes to auction in Staffordshire

12 April 2019

Harold Wilson (1916-95) was Britain’s prime minister not once, but twice and was the man who offered Britain its first referendum on membership of the then European Community and the Common Market.

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Actor, writer and rare book collector Stephen Fry reveals he will open ABA’s rare book fair Firsts

11 April 2019

Actor and writer Stephen Fry will open Firsts: London’s Rare Book Fair, the annual event from the Antiquarian Booksellers Association (ABA).

Manchester United and France midfielder Paul Pogba

Paul Pogba consigns World Cup final boots to charity auction

11 April 2019

Manchester United star Paul Pogba is selling the boots he wore at the 2018 World Cup final at a charity auction in Paris.

Roman gold coin

Rare Roman gold coin found in Kent field comes to auction

10 April 2019

A very rare Roman gold coin, found by a metal detectorist in a field in Kent last month, will come to auction with an estimate of £70,000-100,000.

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New president of ABA the ‘first from north of Watford Gap’

08 April 2019

Book dealer Roger Treglown is the new president of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association.

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Signs of the times: Single owner collection stands out at Paris auction

08 April 2019

Pioneer collection of street furniture goes from Parisian flat to the saleroom.

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Single-owner sale: Signs that Paris appreciates its streetscapes

08 April 2019

French and foreign bidders flock to white-glove sale of pioneer collection of the city’s heritage

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We’re back: Skeleton of rediscovered dinosaur species exhibited in Heathrow Airport before going up for auction in France

08 April 2019

A 155m-year-old one-of-a-kind diplodocus skeleton has been moved from the shale beds of Wyoming to Heathrow Terminal Five, a stopover on its way to auction in France.

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Tiny 'Protector’ palm pistol offered in Pennsylvania

08 April 2019

This Chicago Firearms Co ‘The Protector’ palm pistol is estimated at $800-1200 in the Pook & Pook auction in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, on April 13.

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Field marshal Chetwode’s baton consigned to Spink

08 April 2019

To this day every Indian officer swears the ‘Chetwode motto’ as they commission into the army: The safety, honour and welfare of your country come first, always and every time. The honour, welfare and comfort of the men you command come next. Your own ease, comfort and safety come last, always and every time.

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The special ops striptease

08 April 2019

When British Special Operations Executive (SOE) agents were parachuted into occupied Europe in the Second World War speed was vital. Not only did they have to jump from sub-radar altitudes as low as 400ft, hitting the ground within 10-15 seconds, but they also had to make a quick getaway.

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Binding made of wood from Roman bridge

08 April 2019

A most unusual book binding brought a bid of £5500 in a recent Bonhams sale.

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Victorian Noah’s Ark toy that comes in two by two

08 April 2019

At the second outing of the Norfolk and Suffolk Antique Dealers Association (NASADA) antiques fair, local dealer Philip Crosthwaite, who launched the group last year, will be bringing this Victorian Noah’s Ark toy, below. With 90 original carved wooden animals, it is priced at £895.

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