Obituaries

Articles regarding the lives of late art and antiques dealers, auctioneers, collectors and people connected to the industry.


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Obituary: Antony Newman (1935-2025)

16 January 2026

Antony Newman, universally known as Tony, was at the epicentre of what is now affectionately described as a golden age for the antiques trade throughout the 1990s.

Geoffrey Whitaker

IACF founder Geoff Whitaker dies aged 82

15 January 2026

Geoffrey Whitaker, entrepreneur, dealer and founder of the International Antiques & Collectors Fairs (IACF), died over the Christmas holiday aged 82, after a period of illness.

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Obituary: IACF chairman Keith Harris (1946-2025)

09 January 2026

Chairman of IACF Keith Harris, a highly respected figure, a lifelong entrepreneur, and well-known in the antiques trade, has passed away.

Matthew Upham

Tributes for antiques dealer lost in Christmas Day swim

06 January 2026

Antiques dealers and singer Kate Bush were among those paying tribute to Matthew Upham, 64, following his tragic disappearance at sea.

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Obituary: Caroline Wallrock (1957-2025)

08 December 2025

It is with great sorrow and deep sadness that we announce that the wonderful, formidable, generous and elegant lady, Caroline Wallrock (née Russett), passed away on November 18 after bravely battling cancer.

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Obituary: Howard L Rehs (1959-2025)

01 December 2025

New York dealer Howard L Rehs, president of Rehs Galleries Inc and a respected authority on 19th and early 20th century French academic art, died on November 19 at the age of 66 following a year-long battle with ALS, a progressive neurodegenerative disease.

Tribute to James Brett: A privilege to have known and learnt from him

24 November 2025

Re: Obituary for James Brett and following tribute letters (ATGs 2716 & 2717).

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Obituary: David Ker (1951-2025)

17 November 2025

David Ker, who has died aged 74, was an important and pioneering art dealer and larger-than-life figure, described as one of the most vivid upper-class characters of the last half century.

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Obituary: Watercolours dealer Derek Newman (1956-2025)

10 November 2025

Derek Newman, who died in September this year, was a dealer in English watercolours from Gloucestershire, at first in partnership with his mother Heather and then alone after her death in 2004.

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Smashed glasses, flamboyant scarf: more fond memories of James Brett

03 November 2025

Re: the obituary for James Brett in ATG No 2716.

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Obituary: Antiques dealer James Francis Brett (1943-2025)

27 October 2025

James Brett was an antiques dealer of international repute specialising in the finest English and European antique furniture, sculpture and metal work.

‘He rapidly became one of my best customers and closest friends’

27 October 2025

One day in early 1975 a dealer from Norwich came into my shop in Harrogate for the first time and, although he did not buy on that occasion, that introduction would lead to a 50-year friendship that has been ended by the death of James Brett from Alzheimer’s Disease.

James Brett: ‘Legend of the trade’

27 October 2025

It’s no exaggeration to describe James as a legend of the antiques trade.

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Obituary: furniture dealer William Buckley (1946-2025)

18 October 2025

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of William "Bill" Buckley, a respected antiques dealer who built his reputation on integrity and an eye for quality furniture.

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Obituary: Auctioneer Richard Gold (1949-2025)

22 September 2025

Richard Gold, the well known and respected West Country auctioneer, has died at the age of 76.

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Obituary: Antiques dealer Guy Robins (1939-2025)

22 September 2025

Guy Robins was born in Devon in 1939 at the outbreak of the war. Moving to Sussex, he was educated at Shoreham College and Brighton College.

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Obituary: John Maas (Jean-Baptiste Marie Josef Maas, 1940-2025)

15 September 2025

An adoring, devoted and brilliant father of two, John Maas passed away on his birthday (of skin cancer).

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Obituary: clock dealer David Gibson

08 September 2025

Renowned clock specialist David Gibson has died this May, aged 72.

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Obituary: Antiques dealer Terrence Bailey (1952-2025)

25 August 2025

It is with great sadness that we learn that Terrence Bailey has passed away.

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Obituary: Allan George Hare (1950-2025)

21 July 2025

The family of Allan George Hare are sad to report that Allan passed away on the evening of June 7, 2025 at the age of 74.

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