Auctioneers

The auction process is a key part of the secondary art and antiques market.

Firms of auctioneers usually specialise in a number of fields such as jewellery, ceramics, paintings, Asian art or coins but many also hold general sales where the goods available are not defined by a particular genre and are usually lower in value.

Auctioneers often provide other services such as probate and insurance valuations.

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Sèvres and Vincennes among highlights at Bonhams

15 May 2017

Following the glass and British ceramics auction, which takes place in Bonhams’ Knightsbridge rooms this week, the auction house holds its main European ceramics sale of the summer in New Bond Street on June 14.

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‘Heretical’ Galileo planetary work which horrified the Inquisition is star lot in Paris auction

15 May 2017

Following the publication in 1632 of his Dialogo…, Galileo found himself hauled before the Inquisition and tried for his heretical views.

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Henry James inscription lifts HG Wells book at Charterhouse auction

15 May 2017

Books from the library of neurologist Dr MacDonald Critchley sold as part of an April 20-21 auction held by Charterhouse (19.5% buyer’s premium) naturally included books related to his professional interests, among them copies of his own works. But the lot that attracted most bidding interest was a novel by HG Wells.

Erte

Bonhams hosts exhibition of Erté’s designs from Glyndebourne Opera

13 May 2017

Set and costume designs by artist Erté for the 1980 Glyndebourne Opera production of 'Der Rosenkavalier' are to go on display at auction house Bonhams this month.

Kennedy

Jackie Kennedy’s watch and painting head to auction in New York

12 May 2017

Jackie Kennedy’s Cartier watch and a rediscovered painting are on offer as part of Christie’s 'Rare Watches and American Icons' sale in New York.

Organisers

Bonhams makes first art fair appearance at inaugural event

12 May 2017

Bonhams makes its first ever art fair appearance at a new event in Cheltenham today.

Bird's Hell

Beckmann’s anti-Nazi painting to be offered at auction for the first time

11 May 2017

Max Beckmann’s chilling vision of hell, representing the turmoil of the Nazi regime, is to be offered at auction for the first time.

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Lord Ashcroft buys Merchant Navy George Cross for Imperial War Museum public display

11 May 2017

Lord Ashcroft’s superb collection of medals on public display at the Imperial War Museum in London has grown even larger thanks to a George Cross bought at auction.

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Put your feet up on furniture with Billy Connolly comedy value

10 May 2017

You would expect a comedian like Billy Connolly to buy furniture as colourful and outrageous as he can be. Now you have the opportunity to buy for yourself some of the migraine-inducing items from his Scottish holiday home.

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Higher auction margins and private sales boost Sotheby’s results

10 May 2017

Sotheby’s latest set of results for the first quarter of 2017 showed an improvement in its fortunes over the equivalent period last year.

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Writing table helps to look for a Muriel Spark of inspiration

10 May 2017

Suffering from writer’s block? Maybe the solution is to feel inspired by those who have gone on to success. Working on your next best-seller using Muriel Spark’s table might help.

Pall Mall

Mark Law becomes new owner of auction house Dreweatts and dealer Mallett

09 May 2017

Former auctioneer and ceramics specialist Mark Law and investor Gavin Alexander have bought auction firm Dreweatts and dealer Mallett from stamp dealership Stanley Gibbons.

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Austin pedal cars power to thousands at auctions

09 May 2017

For classic car collectors, a genuine ‘barn find’ to restore is the holy grail: a cobwebbed, dust-covered vehicle which has lain undisturbed for many, many years and is calling out for a restoration project.

Lucio Fontana’s ‘Concetto Spaziale’

Collection from ‘King of Surrealism’ Alexander Iolas goes to auction

09 May 2017

A collection from celebrated art dealer Alexander Iolas is coming to Sotheby’s later this month.

Stanley Gibbons

Stanley Gibbons sells auction firm Dreweatts and dealer Mallett

09 May 2017

Stamp and coin dealership group Stanley Gibbons has sold furniture dealer Mallett and auction firm Dreweatts to a newly formed company.

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Privately printed edition of Lawrence of Arabia's classic at New York auction

08 May 2017

One of 170 complete copies of the privately printed Cranwell edition of the 'Seven Pillars of Wisdom, A Triumph', 1926, by TE Lawrence (better known as Lawrence of Arabia) leads the Swann Galleries sale on May 16 in New York.

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Turkey appeals against stargazer sale

08 May 2017

Last week’s spectacular $14.5m sale of an ancient ‘stargazer’ idol has been placed in doubt after the Turkish government challenged Christie’s right to sell it.

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Hemingway under the hammer in New York auction

08 May 2017

Ernest Hemingway and F Scott Fitzgerald were among the financial big-hitters when a third part of the extensive Maurice F Neville collection of modern literature was sold by Sotheby’s New York (25/20/12.5% buyer’s premium) on April 24.

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Dive in to bid for pioneering swimming works

08 May 2017

Sold for £6000 in a Forum Auctions (25/20/12% buyer’s premium) sale of March 30 was a copy of one of the earliest books on swimming.

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Boxing clever with Muhammad Ali boxing memorabilia

08 May 2017

“Wait a minute. You’re putting my gloves in jail? This is awful. How can you put my gloves in jail? They ain’t done nothing… yet!”

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