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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Buyer not afraid of Virginia Woolf value

03 April 2023

Complete with the often missing dust jacket and entirely unrestored, as the cataloguer’s notes were pleased to point out, a 1925 Hogarth Press first of Virginia Woolf’s famous novel Mrs Dalloway was offered as part of a March 2 sale at Swann Galleries (25/20/12% buyer’s premium) of New York.

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The last word on Samuel Johnson

03 April 2023

Shrewsbury sale offered rare opportunity to bid for a letters by the great writer and lexicographer

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Massive collection of Second World War pictures recall dealers' boyhood

03 April 2023

A personal collection of Second World War pictures compiled by dealer John Noott over more than 40 years is on display at the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum.

British and Irish book auctions: April 4-28, 2023

03 April 2023

Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions

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Watership Down in a special binding

03 April 2023

A sale held by Martel Maides (20% buyer’s premium) of Guernsey to disperse the contents two island homes included some 60 or more single and multiple lots of books, a number of which boasted special bindings.

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PBFA has lots to shout about ahead of Oxford event

03 April 2023

Tom Lintern-Mole, co-organiser with John Martin of PBFA’s book fair at Oxford Brookes University on Saturday and Sunday, April 22-23, said he is looking forward to 75 dealers standing.

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The Iron Duke’s hands of time

03 April 2023

Sculpture of a personal nature leads a fine collection of memorabilia offered in Gloucestershire saleroom

Shakespeare's four Folios

Rare collection of Shakespeare’s four Folios and poems offered by London dealer

29 March 2023

Bookseller Peter Harrington is commemorating the 400th anniversary of the publication of William Shakespeare’s First Folio with the sale of a rare collection of works.

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George Bernard Shaw says ‘I thought you were dead’

27 March 2023

A handful of lots featuring communications between an actress, Miss Alice Bowes (1889-1969), and George Bernard Shaw featured in a Mullock’s (20% buyer’s premium) sale.

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Hands of history relating to US hero Lafayette

27 March 2023

The visit of ‘Revolutionary Wars’ hero Gilbert du Motler, the Marquis of Lafayette, to the US in 1824 spawned a large number of commemoratives.

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Aircraft model made in London proves a cut above in Canadian saleroom

27 March 2023

Beautiful construction, rarity and interesting history combined to make a British-made cutaway model sought after in a Canadian auction.

British and Irish book auctions: March 29-April 17, 2023

27 March 2023

Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions

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Apology from Beatle Harrison to disappointed schoolgirl fan

27 March 2023

A letter of apology written by George Harrison after two autograph-hunting schoolgirls got a distinctly unfriendly reception when they turned up on the doorstep of his home took £6100 at auction.

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Busby Babe Johnny Berry remembered thanks to medal sale success

27 March 2023

In one way, Johnny Berry (1926-94) was luckier than many of Manchester United’s Busby Babes: he survived the Munich air disaster on February 6, 1958, that killed many of his teammates.

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Surrealist carpet designed comes with heart and sole

27 March 2023

Footprint design telling a story of lost love stars among a selection of ‘out of the ordinary’ collectables lots sold at auction

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Shipwreck Lutine surfaces again as tabletop souvenir

27 March 2023

La Lutine, launched by the French in 1779 and later requisitioned into the Royal Navy, is today best known for its sinking.

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Early example of Donald Duck merchandise flies high

27 March 2023

On June 9, 1934, Donald Duck made his debut in a supporting role in a Silly Symphony cartoon titled The Wise Little Hen.

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Tolkien’s family and friends

27 March 2023

Middle-Earth history works edited by Christopher and two copies of The Hobbit with interesting links

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Middlesbrough FC jerseys is ‘possibly the oldest Football League shirt extant’

27 March 2023

This jersey dates from between 1886 and 1890, making it not just the oldest Middlesbrough FC shirt but possibly the oldest Football League shirt extant.

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Photo shows Gunners still south of the river

27 March 2023

With Arsenal still setting the pace at the top of the Premier League as we went to press, several lots offered at Graham Budd’s (24% buyer’s premium) sale on March 7-8 acted as a reminder of the club’s formative days.

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