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.

The Lawes Resolutions of Women’s Rights

Copy of earliest book on laws relating to women emerges at Newcastle saleroom

25 August 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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First print to show game of ‘goff’ emerges in New York auction

25 August 2025

A cherished piece of golf history came for sale at Carlsen Gallery (20% buyer’s premium) in Freehold, New York, and commanded a significant sum.

Books and works on paper auction calendar, August 27 to September 16, 2025

25 August 2025

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

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York National Book Fair ‘suits younger crowd’

25 August 2025

While a Rowntree centenary brings historic interest, exhibitors are also focused on attracting fresh faces

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Live Aid programme signed by Sting, Phil Collins and Queen members marked ‘the greatest show on Earth’

25 August 2025

This year marks the 40th anniversary of one of the most extraordinary music concerts ever held: Live Aid.

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Auction catalogues also collectable when it comes to the famous Lowther Castle sale

25 August 2025

Hugh Lowther, 5th Earl of Lonsdale (1857-1944) inherited enormous wealth derived from his father’s coalmines.

COIN 2

Exeter museum acquires Anglo Saxon coin with first mention of city's name

21 August 2025

An Anglo-Saxon silver penny with the first recorded use of the name ‘Exeter’ has been acquired by that city’s Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery.

A WH Smith Books On Poultry Keeping Sign

Signs of the times: collectors to bid for piece of British retail history at auction of WH Smith archive

18 August 2025

The sale ends on August 31 at Chorley’s in Prinknash Abbey Park, Cheltenham.

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The magic of an occult themed lot: £3 3s becomes £7100

18 August 2025

Occult group listed by specialist bookseller in the 19th century reappears at a 21st century auction

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ATG letter: The snuff box depicting Franklin that I bought… and the Libertas Americana medal I missed out on

18 August 2025

I thought your readers might like to know a little more about the coquilla nut snuff box I recently purchased at Burstow & Hewett [in Battle, East Sussex, UK, on May 28-29] illustrated on the front page of ATG No 2702.

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A later, 1930s, Polar Medal, for a relief ship... but still a £4600 hammer price

18 August 2025

Estimated at £800-1200, a British Antarctic Polar expedition bronze medal and miniature took £4600 at Bentley’s (20% buyer’s premium) in Cranbrook, Kent.

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Manuscript leaf flies to five times the low estimate

18 August 2025

A late 15th century French illuminated manuscript vellum leaf achieved the stand-out result in a collection of illuminated manuscripts offered at Batemans (25% buyer’s premium).

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Rare corkscrew excites the helixophiles

18 August 2025

A recent sale held by arms and armour specialist Antony Cribb (25% buyer’s premium) in Compton, Berkshire, included one of the rarest of British patent corkscrews.

Books and works on paper auction calendar, August 20 to September 3, 2025

18 August 2025

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

Chris Barrie with some of his signs

Red Dwarf star’s automobilia collection heads to auction

15 August 2025

Enamel signs are among the items from actor Chris Barrie that will be sold in September in Dorset.

WEB Henry Aldridge Jukebox 1

US space age jukebox inspired by Cold War rival shoots to £5000 top estimate result

15 August 2025

The AMI Continental II jukebox appeared in 1962, a time when space race excitement was gripping the US.

Florida map

Plea for museums to raise £6m to keep nautical chart archive in the UK

14 August 2025

A British maritime chart collection spanning 200 years has been temporarily blocked from export to give UK museums the chance to raise funds to keep it in the country.

Books and works on paper auction calendar, August 13 to September 1

11 August 2025

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

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Medals tell tale of Hong Kong police scandal

11 August 2025

It’s not often that a group of medals offered at auction includes two that were in fact officially revoked. However, a lot that appeared at an East Yorkshire auction house on June 27 reflected a notorious tale of colonial corruption.

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Tommy Cooper magic robe bought by illusionist David Copperfield

11 August 2025

A robe worn by magician and comedian Tommy Cooper (1921-84) during the performance in which he which he suffered a heart attack and collapsed on stage has been sold at a North Yorkshire auction.

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