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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Queen of the Waters ended up in Victoria

15 September 2025

Robert Steele and Company was a partnership formed in 1816 in Greenock, Scotland, between shipbuilder Robert Steele (1745-1830) and his two sons, James and Robert, that became associated with the term ‘Clydebuilt’ ships.

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Bidders run rule over first book in English to look at laws that related to women

15 September 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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Rare prison records judged to be worth an £11,000 bid

15 September 2025

Calendars listing details of prisoners in a 17th century gaol prove popular in North Yorkshire saleroom

pocket chronometer

Chronometer used on HMS Beagle voyage with Charles Darwin given export bar

10 September 2025

A pocket chronometer known to be on board HMS Beagle when Charles Darwin sailed on the ship’s second voyage from 1831-36 is subject to a temporary export bar in the hope of keeping it in the UK.

Castle Grayskull playset

Collectables reach new heights as US auction achieves huge sums

08 September 2025

‘By the power of Grayskull!’ was the cry in the Masters of the Universe TV cartoon series in the 1980s. Four decades on, that power has taken toy prices to an astonishing new high.

WH Smith enamel advertising signs

WH Smith archive delivers high street nostalgia at auction

08 September 2025

A lot offering five WH Smith enamel advertising signs, c.1930, took the top price as memorabilia from one of the UK’s most enduring and recognisable retail brands came to auction.

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Greek bronze reward and a Roman relic coming up

08 September 2025

A “very fine” bronze helmet of Corinthian type, c.350BC, hammered from a single sheet, with a domed crown, almond-shaped eye cutouts and a prominent nose guard, sold for £32,000 at Apollo Art Auctions (25% buyer’s premium) in London on July 27.

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Rebels who became royal favourites: stand-out lots among property from the Earls of Airlie

08 September 2025

Jacobite highlights from the Scottish Collected sale held by Lyon & Turnbull in Edinburgh

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Second time lucky in Surrey as Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac lyrics get away at £19,000

08 September 2025

Peter Green’s lyrics for 'Man Of The World' sell at regional auction house

Jonathan Green-Plumb

Collector Interview: Not a maker but a man who can make tools fascinating

08 September 2025

Jonathan Green-Plumb collects antique tools and has created a museum in his home in north Norfolk.

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ATG letter: One East Sussex auction, three different items for discussion…

08 September 2025

Your Letters pages have recently featured the elaboration of two items purchased from the “contents of a Sussex manor house” auctioned by Burstow & Hewett of Battle, East Sussex, on May 28-29: a Tudor oak stool and a coquilla nut snuffbox depicting Benjamin Franklin (see Auction Reports, ATG No 2702 and Letters, No 2704 & 2706).

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British paratrooper helmet picked out in Exeter auction for £3900

08 September 2025

Second World War airborne memorabilia is another in-demand section of the militaria market.

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Comprehensive First World War uniform groupings catch the eye

08 September 2025

Halls’ (24% buyer’s premium) latest Militaria, Naval and Aviation Auction in Shrewsbury offered a tempting selection of lots such as First World War uniforms in decent condition.

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Just the thing for a day tripper

08 September 2025

Among the many ‘cheap and cheerful’ souvenirs made for fans of the Beatles in the 1960s were lunch boxes and flasks.

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European postcard dealers descend on Surrey

08 September 2025

“We’ve had a good year,” said Clive Baker, organiser of the biannual two-day South of England Postcard Fair run on behalf of the Postcard Traders Associatiom (PTA).

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Rare kit combinations score at auction with tabletopping Subbuteo teams

08 September 2025

When selling football memorabilia such as programmes and match-worn shirts, items linked to renowned and well-supported clubs such as Manchester United will often be the most valuable.

Books and works on paper auction calendar, September 9-25, 2025

08 September 2025

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

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Brooch brings memories of a military hospital

08 September 2025

Sold at £250, this brooch probably commemorates the opening of Hill House Military Hospital, also known as School Hill House Hospital, in Lewes.

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Screamadelica album sun cover art taken higher than estimate

08 September 2025

As an entire work, this huge oil on canvas by British artist Paul Cannell (1963-2005) might not seem that familiar.

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Better together: the new Olympia Auctions duo delighted by their debut achievement

08 September 2025

The first auction staged as a partnership between two renowned specialists produced a wide range of encouraging results

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