UK

The United Kingdom accounts for more than one fifth of the global art market sales and is the second biggest art market after the US.

Through auctioneers, dealers, fairs and markets - and a burgeoning online sector - buyers, collectors and sellers of art and antiques can easily access a vibrant network of intermediaries and events around the country. The UK's museums also house a wealth of impressive collections

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Trade threatened by £100m anti money laundering levy

19 October 2020

The art market is lobbying government to try to stop a new levy on the sector for Anti Money Laundering initiatives.

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Copy of ‘the earliest obtainable map printed in Arabic’ reaches 15-times estimate at Forum Auctions

19 October 2020

The atlas 'Ay majmu’ kharitat rasm al-ard…,' published by the Church Missionary Society Press in Valetta, is today considered the earliest obtainable atlas printed in Arabic.

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Pick of the week: Replica great auk is real winner at auction

19 October 2020

A Rowland Ward replica of a great auk – the flightless seabird that became extinct in the mid 19th century – sold at auction in Gloucestershire for £25,000.

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Cartier carriage clock and Lalique jewellery are among the five lots to watch at auction this week

19 October 2020

With estimates from £150-35,000 here are five previews of upcoming items this week.

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Art Deco poster rides into Edinburgh auction

19 October 2020

This striking example of Art Deco poster design promotes the Blue Train: the luxury overnight express between Calais and the French Riviera named after the dark blue Compagnie International des Wagons-Lits carriages used when the service resumed after the First World War.

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Textbook longcase created by one of London’s finest makers

19 October 2020

This textbook William and Mary longcase clock is from the workshop of Joseph Windmills, one of the finest clockmakers in late 17th century London.

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Bountiful bibliophile works bring demand at Sotheby's

19 October 2020

One of two book sales held by Sotheby’s (25/20/13.9% buyer’s premium) presented a single-owner collection billed as The Library of Greek Bibliophile.

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The moon rises at Colnaghi exhibition

19 October 2020

Dating to the second quarter of the 16th century, this stained-glass moon comes from northern France and is offered now by St James’s dealership Colnaghi.

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Two wheels v four legs

19 October 2020

Tim Bryars’ enthusiasm for the “democratisation of travel” extends well beyond the railways.

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Urns and mug make big earners

19 October 2020

Coadestone urns to this design were a personal favourite of company founder Eleanor Coade herself.

British and Irish book auctions: October 20-November 8, 2020

19 October 2020

Our regular listing of British and Irish book auctions.

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It moss be love: naturalist’s album bought by museum

19 October 2020

At a recent PBFA fair, dealer John Underwood sold a collection of albums of mosses compiled by the naturalist Frederick DuCane Godman (1834-1919) to Horsham Museum & Art Gallery.

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Bradshaw off the mark as a mapmaker

19 October 2020

Before railway mania came canal mania – key to the Industrial Revolution. This 1830 second edition copy of George Bradshaw’s 'Map of Canals, Navigable Rivers, Rail Road &c. in the Midland Counties of England from Actual Survey' sold for £500 (estimate £200-300) at Forum Auctions (25/20/12% buyer’s premium) on October 8.

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Soviet travel posters included in Surrey auction

19 October 2020

Ewbank’s of Send, Surrey, will feature a series of rare 1930s Soviet travel posters in its Vintage Posters auction on October 30.

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Single-owner collection ‘represents something of a return to form’ for the Spode market

19 October 2020

The 'Indian Sporting' series is the most celebrated of all Spode blue and white transfer-prints. This multi-scene pattern (there are 17 different designs in total) is based on aquatints by Samuel Howitt from 'Oriental Field Sports, Wild Sports of the East' by Captain Thomas Williamson, published in 1807.

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Medal saluting bravery of ‘Colored Troops’ sells in Salisbury

19 October 2020

A Colored Troops Medal or Butler Medal was offered for sale at the Medals & Coins, Arms & Armour Militaria at Woolley & Wallis (25% buyer’s premium) in Salisbury.

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Bidders shell out for sign and a noted beauty

19 October 2020

Entered by different vendors to raise money for charities, and accordingly given token estimates, petrol signs and Irish banknotes took the top prices at Clarks Auctions Rooms (17.5% buyer’s premium) in Liskeard.

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What a relief: Italian surprises emerge at Mallams' auction

19 October 2020

Brought back to England by 19th century travel writer Richard Ford, a carved alabaster relief of the Madonna watching over Christ was the outstanding lot from a Gloucestershire country house offered at Mallams Cheltenham (22.5% buyer’s premium).

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Travel memorabilia: Bradshaw railway guides remain an affordable route into the collecting market

19 October 2020

“Bradshaw becomes first-hand for any sort of railway guide – you can argue whether or not he was the very first to create them, but he was the first to be successful. It is a bit like everyone calling vacuum cleaners Hoovers.”

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Woodbridge Antiques Centre boosted online

19 October 2020

Natalie Smith opened the 30-cabinet Woodbridge Antiques Centre in 2007 and 13 years later she has been enjoying further success at a challenging time through internet sales.

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