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.

Franklin daguerreotypes

Rediscovered images of the crew of Franklin's lost expedition come to auction next month

29 August 2023

Rare daguerreotype photographs of Sir John Franklin and his fellow senior officers of the ill-fated HMS Erebus and Terror have been rediscovered and will be offered at auction by Sotheby’s.

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Charlotte Brontë looks back to her days as Currer Bell

28 August 2023

A wistful and chatty letter from Charlotte Brontë to her editor William S Williams comes for sale in California on September 7.

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Desirable Doulton: inkwells and ashtray

28 August 2023

The most eagerly contested lot in a recent sale at Potteries Auctions (25% buyer’s premium) was a Doulton stoneware Isobath inkwell.

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‘Earliest international rugby cap’ at auction

28 August 2023

This faded red-brown velvet cap worn by Alfred St George Hamersley (1848-1929) is believed to be the earliest rugby international cap to come to auction.

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Rare Canadiana in Sussex… and another Norman Bobins

28 August 2023

Estimated at £300-500, a group of five hand-coloured prints of early 19th century Canada sold for £8500 at Gorringe’s (25% buyer’s premium) in Lewes.

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The colourful world of Norman Bobins

28 August 2023

Latest slice of a ‘magnificent library’ that covered the development of book illustrations

British and Irish book auctions, August 28-September 14, 2023

28 August 2023

Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions

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Ready teddy go for keen collectors in Kensington

28 August 2023

Anyone who has been charmed by teddies all their adult life since maybe an early adoration of Winnie-the-Pooh could head to the long-running biannual Hugglets Teddies Festival.

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Dip into the Grand Tour with a sarcophagus inkstand

21 August 2023

This 19th century carved Siena marble inkstand is fashioned in the form of an ancient Roman sarcophagus.

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Original lyrics for Elvis Presley's 'Heartbreak Hotel' comes to auction

21 August 2023

The original working lyrics for 'Heartbreak Hotel' carry an estimate of $200,000-220,000 at GWS Auctions’ sale titled Artifacts of Hollywood & Music in Agoura Hills, California, on August 26.

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Natural history collecting? It rocks

21 August 2023

Over the past decade the buyer profile has widened as fossils and minerals become decorative objects

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Robert E Lee button bonanza

21 August 2023

Defeated Confederate general gave out uniform items as gifts until the government cracked down

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Make an auld acquaintance: Scottish artists in London club together

21 August 2023

This handwritten volume bound in maroon calf boards with brass clasp is titled inside The Minute Book of The Auld Lang Syne Sketching Club.

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Snuff bottle takes 31 times low estimate

21 August 2023

A recent Devin Moisan (25% buyer’s premium) sale was topped by a 1974 Chinese snuff bottle decorated by Wang-Hsi (Xisan).

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Bardin globe travels Down Under

21 August 2023

An Australian bidder secured this early 19th century 2ft 4in (71cm) Bardin terrestrial library globe at Copake Auction’s (25% buyer’s premium) recent estate sale in upstate New York.

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French author’s work proves cream of the crop rotation

21 August 2023

'Theatre d’Agriculture et Mesnages des Champs' issued in 1600 is the first major work on French agronomy.

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Henry James refugee work is rare sale visitor on vellum

21 August 2023

Refugees in Chelsea was written by Henry James (1843-1916) to help the local Chelsea Committee to raise funds in the US to start an industry for crippled Belgian soldiers.

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Beefy memorabilia reminds England of Ashes triumph

21 August 2023

England cricketer Sir Ian Botham sold a group of memorabilia from his international and club career at auction on July 15.

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Wolstenholm fits the bill again

21 August 2023

In ATG No 2601 we reported on a penknife with over 100 folding blades and accessories made for exhibition by George Wolstenholm of Sheffield.

British and Irish book auctions, August 22-September 14, 2023

21 August 2023

Our regular listing of book auctions available via thesaleroom.com

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