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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Illustrator also provides a 007 cover story

16 June 2025

A fine association copy of Ian Fleming’s You Only Live Twice was sold by Reeman Dansie (25% buyer’s premium) in Colchester on April 30.

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Vendor very much smiling at that price

16 June 2025

In the early to mid-1930s, the German company Saalheimer & Strauss produced four versions of tin litho banks with an image of Mickey Mouse on them.

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Cannon combines naval technology with aristocratic flair

16 June 2025

A George III cast bronze two-pounder sold on June 3 came from a group of 12 cast for a commission by second Viscount William Courtenay, most probably for his private yacht Dolphin in 1775. The cannon was later removed to Powderham Castle, Devon.

Bentwood apothecary canisters

'UK's largest private collection of antique apothecary objects' comes to auction

09 June 2025

What is touted as the UK’s largest private collection of antique apothecary objects will be sold by the Cotswold Auction Company as part of a sale in Cirencester on June 24-25.

A Complete Map of All Under Heaven

Swiss-based collection gives worldwide access to Chinese map of ‘all under Heaven’

09 June 2025

One of only three known surviving copies of a rare 1644 century Chinese woodblock map has been bought by The Sunderland Collection.

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Former rectory supplies library of religious works

09 June 2025

Bibles from the Mulberry House sold well at Sworders in Stansted Mountfitchet

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Nirvana: in front of 700 in Bristol

09 June 2025

Before hitting stratospheric heights, US grunge rockers Nirvana were playing on a European tour in late 1991 in front of crowd of 700 at one point.

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John Bonham drumhead saved from bonfire (but not Alice Cooper guillotine)

09 June 2025

The only known bass drumhead featuring John Bonham’s personal symbol – the interlocking rings that became his mark after Led Zeppelin’s fourth album – hammered at $70,000 (£53,000) at Heritage (25% buyer’s premium) in Dallas.

Books and works on paper auction calendar, June 11-28, 2025

09 June 2025

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

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Sharp shakes up Bob Dylan as Mr Tambourine Man including a poster proof version

09 June 2025

A suitably psychedelic 1967 poster of Bob Dylan, designed by Martin Sharp, fetched £900 at the James & Sons (25% buyer’s premium inc VAT) auction in Fakenham on January 15.

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Games play their part in Essex sale

09 June 2025

Nine-strong collection of Georgian and Victorian games counts as a highlight of mixed auction

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A selection of splendid cigarette cases

09 June 2025

Pictured below are three fine silver and enamel cigarette cases dating from the turn of the 20th century sold at auction in recent weeks.

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Posters show how bands graduated from uni gigs to much bigger stages

09 June 2025

Now famous for a career of filling stadiums as one of the biggest and most successful bands in the world, Pink Floyd played more humble venues back in the day.

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The ‘Holy Grail’ record sleeve with nothing inside

09 June 2025

“A Holy Grail moment for collectors worldwide” was the promise from Merseyside auction house Omega (29/35% buyer’s premium inc VAT) when a scarce picture sleeve came for sale.

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Tens of thousands of records collected over more than 60 years come to auction

09 June 2025

“This has been the biggest single cataloguing job of my career - an extraordinary experience,” said John Silke, vinyl specialist of Surrey saleroom Ewbank’s (25% buyer’s premium).

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Prof Zacron/Robert Drew was drawn in by British art exhibition posters

09 June 2025

As part of a Fine Art auction in Surrey on June 25, Catherine Southon is selling a collection of British art exhibition posters from the estate of Professor Zacron (Robert Drew), the maverick artist best known for the album cover of Led Zeppelin III.

Architectural tea caddy

Rediscovered tea caddy in form of a Georgian house sells at Sheffield auction

04 June 2025

The fashion for tea caddies and other boxes in the form of houses or other decorative buildings emerged in the last quarter of the 18th century and continued into the 19th century.

The Plan for the Colonies

Highlights unveiled for the London Map Fair

03 June 2025

The London Map Fair (June 7-8) at the Royal Geographical Society brings together around 40 of the leading national and international antiquarian map dealers, as well as hundreds of visiting dealers, collectors, curators and map aficionados.

Vizagapatam figure of a cavalryman

Pick of the week: Call in the cavalry for an Indian toy soldier at auction

02 June 2025

The sale of a private collection of arms and armour at C&T Auctions in Kent, on May 13 included a brass figure of a cavalryman from a small but well-known group of Indian toy soldiers.

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Bountiful selection to explore in Chicago saleroom includes accounts of famous mutiny

02 June 2025

US auction offers lots ranging from mutiny on the Bounty to polar tales and a starry menu

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