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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Fossils fuelled religious doubts among naturalists

22 September 2025

Naturalist but creationist Agassiz produced a monumental work on ancient species of fish

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Helped to escape by nurse Cavell

22 September 2025

Halls’ (24% buyer’s premium) Militaria, Naval and Aviation Auction included a medal group with an intriguing link to a famous figure of the First World War, British nurse Edith Cavell.

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Extensive archive fleshes out heroic wartime service of a determined and gallant pilot

22 September 2025

Acting Lt Cdr Richard Lovelace Bigg-Wither not only had a memorable name but a Second World War career in the Fleet Air Arm that was also definitely one to remember.

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How Victoria Crosses can be rare but also frequently seen at auction

22 September 2025

An honour hailing from the Second World War demonstrates the peculiarity of this collecting market

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One of just a handful of Meissen Turkish coffee pots comes to auction

22 September 2025

An unusual piece of very early Meissen is coming up for sale at Metz in Heidelberg on October 18.

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Märklin collectors all fired up for prime pieces from a noble source

22 September 2025

Provenance to a noble family and market freshness generate impressive results for rarities

Books and works on paper auction calendar, September 24 to October 9, 2025

22 September 2025

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

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Previews of sales surrounding Coinex

22 September 2025

Coinex, the most important event on the British calendar for many serious coin collectors, opens at the Biltmore Hotel in Mayfair’s Grosvenor Square on September 26-27

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Handy if you need to scare a ram

22 September 2025

From October 28-31 the Worshipful Company of Turners is hosting Wizardry in Wood 2025 – its quadrennial celebration of woodturning and wood art – at Plaisterers’ Hall in London.

Albert Einstein's violin

Albert Einstein’s violin and bicycle saddle on offer at Gloucestershire auction

18 September 2025

A violin used by Albert Einstein (1879-1955) during his ‘Annus Mirabilis’ comes for sale at Dominic Winter in South Cerney, Cirencester, on October 8.

Order of the Garter Great George

Great George rides in as a £46,000 badge of honour

15 September 2025

Noonans’ sale of Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria in London on September 10 was led by an exceptional 18th century gold and enamel jewel.

Indian national flag

India flag first to fly in the UK emerges at auction

15 September 2025

The national flag of India on offer at west London saleroom Lots Road in a Two Day Fine Interiors Auction was by the appearance alone seemingly nothing special.

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Newsflash: the Portsmouth trundler won his bet after all

15 September 2025

In Fairs, Markets, Shops & Centres, ATG No 2709, we ran a story about the South of England Postcard Fair which included mention of a postcard showing a WR Hayes.

Books and works on paper auction calendar, September 17-30, 2025

15 September 2025

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

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McCullough's typewriter and earliest-known manuscript for The Thorn Birds emerges

15 September 2025

The best-selling book in Australian history, with more than 30 million copies purchased is 'The Thorn Birds', a novel by Colleen McCullough published in 1977.

Cold painted bronze owl

Eccentric Trading: Pieces that found fame as screen props

15 September 2025

On September 24-25, Lyon & Turnbull presents The Secret Life of Props: The Eccentric Trading Collection, a two-day single-owner auction of items that have shaped British film and television for a generation.

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Queen of the Waters ended up in Victoria

15 September 2025

Robert Steele and Company was a partnership formed in 1816 in Greenock, Scotland, between shipbuilder Robert Steele (1745-1830) and his two sons, James and Robert, that became associated with the term ‘Clydebuilt’ ships.

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Bidders run rule over first book in English to look at laws that related to women

15 September 2025

The Lawes Resolutions of Women’s Rights: or the Lawes Provision for Women, attributed to the English lawyer Thomas Edgar and printed in 1632 by John More, is recognised as the earliest book in the English language to compile laws relating to women.

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Rare prison records judged to be worth an £11,000 bid

15 September 2025

Calendars listing details of prisoners in a 17th century gaol prove popular in North Yorkshire saleroom

pocket chronometer

Chronometer used on HMS Beagle voyage with Charles Darwin given export bar

10 September 2025

A pocket chronometer known to be on board HMS Beagle when Charles Darwin sailed on the ship’s second voyage from 1831-36 is subject to a temporary export bar in the hope of keeping it in the UK.

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