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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Incredible Hulk as a flexible friend in toy form

08 September 2025

You might not like him when he’s angry, but as a stretch toy The Incredible Hulk is evidently very popular with collectors.

The Tale of Benjamin Bunny

Beatrix Potter hops into auction as Schuster collection comes to Dominic Winter

02 September 2025

What is thought to be the largest and most comprehensive private collection of Beatrix Potter memorabilia ever assembled comes for sale in the autumn.

George Best shirt at auction

George Best’s European Cup semi-final shirt up for sale

02 September 2025

George Best’s 1968 European Cup semi-final shirt is up for auction at Toovey’s in Washington, West Sussex, on October 9.

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Magistrate holds court in new saleroom set up for petroliana and advertising auctions

01 September 2025

A new auction house focused on petroliana and advertising has launched in Hampshire with its first sale planned for October.

A book of cricketers' autographs

After 45 years of trading, cricketing books dealer shuts up shop and sells collection at auction

01 September 2025

The first part of Christopher Saunders’ stock will be offered on September 13

Silver snuffbox

Snuffbox relating to famed shipwreck rescue emerges at Gloucestershire auction

01 September 2025

A silver snuffbox presented as a token of gratitude to a ship captain involved in the rescue of passengers from one of the most significant maritime disasters of the 19th century is on offer at The Cotswold Auction Company in Cirencester.

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Auction lot adds to Strauss knowledge

01 September 2025

An unexpected assist from the Richard Strauss Institute helped Clarke Auction Gallery (25% buyer’s premium) to hammer down a musical manuscript page for $9500 (£6970) against a guide of $800-1200.

Etc Fairs finds new venue in Bloomsbury

01 September 2025

Among the logistical challenges many fair organisers face is the scheduling and sometimes rescheduling of dates at their chosen venues.

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Buyer goes nuts about engineering trade display case

01 September 2025

The British engineering company formerly known as Guest, Keen and Nettlefolds can trace its origins back to 1759 and the birth of the industrial revolution

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ATG letter: Florida map reminds me of a salvage boat and lurking shark

01 September 2025

I do hope that a good home will be found for the manuscript of Bernard Romans’ chart of Florida (‘Museum buyer sought to keep ‘outstanding’ £6m maritime chart collection in the UK’, News, ATG No 2706).

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Personal messages play huge part in John Peel record collection prices

01 September 2025

Rare vinyl such as demos and limited editions can generate significant demand at auction, but sometimes it is the personal touch that matters as well.

Books and works on paper auction calendar, September 2-21, 2025

01 September 2025

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

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How to get ahead in advertising: huge single-owner collection brings a packed saleroom

01 September 2025

First part of extensive array amassed by Mike Standen attracts strong results

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Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and Indian constitution provide varied highlights at New Jersey auction

01 September 2025

Two markedly different publications prompted contests from quite different groups of bidders at Millea Bros (25% buyer’s premium) in Boonton, New Jersey, the second day of a three-day auction at the house.

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Backstory boosts simple silver snuffbox at US auction

01 September 2025

Piece produced by jobbing London silversmith Simmons was owned by one of Washington’s favourites

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Hooke's Micrographica looked at in detail by US bidders

01 September 2025

Second printing of Robert Hooke’s most famous work offered from Ohio collection boasts an impressive provenance

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Jukebox became a space-age design classic

01 September 2025

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

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Top stories this week including Red Dwarf star Chris Barrie selling his automobilia collection at auction

31 August 2025

The most viewed stories on this website over the last week included news of actor Chris Barrie consigning items to Charterhouse’s specialist automobilia sale

A letter written in 1958 by Alfred Wainwright

Rare Wainwright correspondence arrives at auction

30 August 2025

Letters to fellwalking pen pal to be sold in Cumbria

2607PV SGB Cairns Great Escape

London auction offers medals and flying gear of RAF hero who was part of Great Escape plot

29 August 2025

Stanley Gibbons Baldwin’s Medals and Militaria Auction on September 17 features a collection of items from Squadron Leader Peter Cairns, who took part in the Great Escape breakout plot during the Second World War.

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