Latest News Articles by Alex Capon
Maggs makes its new move
30 May 2017The builders were still applying the finishing touches to book dealership Maggs Bros’ new premises in London’s Bedford Square on the morning before the shop was officially opened with a party on May 23.
Sotheby's marks 100 years on Bond Street
30 May 2017Even in the days of online catalogues, internet bidding and timed sales, the importance of bricks and mortar premises for an auction house can hardly be overstated.
Book dealer Maggs opens doors of new premises in London’s Bedford Square
24 May 2017Stephen Fry and Dan Cruickshank were among the guests who turned up to last night’s party at Maggs Bros to open the book dealer’s new premises in London’s Bedford Square.
Auctioneers warned to check address to avoid scam
22 May 2017Auctioneers are again being warned to check addresses with shippers following reports of bidding scams.
Basquiat and Brancusi dominate NY art week
22 May 2017The flagship auctions of Impressionist, Modern and Contemporary art in New York last week showed a recovery after a difficult 2016.
They said what?! The week (15-21 May) in quotes from the art and antiques world
21 May 2017In our weekend series, Antiques Trade Gazette brings you a selection of quotes from dealers, auctioneers, collectors and others. This week, the Labour Party announces its position on ivory trading and a Japanese collector speaks about a $98m purchase.
Basquiat enters top-five highest ever auction prices after $98m sale at Sotheby’s
19 May 2017A painting Jean-Michel Basquiat set the fifth highest ever auction price in New York last night when it was knocked down for $98m (£76m) at Sotheby’s.
Christie’s top man in Asia returns to Europe
19 May 2017Christie’s chairman of the Asia Pacific region François Curiel is returning to Europe after being promoted by the company.
Solid selling rates in New York as Francis Bacon and Cy Twombly lead Christie’s contemporary art auction
18 May 2017Christie’s evening sale of Post-War and Contemporary Art in New York met with a robust response last night and was led by paintings by two of the biggest names in the market: Cy Twombly (1928-2011) and Francis Bacon (1909-92).
West End dealer offers rare engraving of one of England’s worst naval defeats at London Map Fair
18 May 2017A map showing one of the few occasions since 1066 that a part of England has been occupied by foreign forces will be offered at the London Map Fair next month.
Sotheby’s sale dented by withdrawal of early Egon Schiele painting
17 May 2017The late withdrawal of Sotheby’s star lot at an evening auction in New York last night was a blot on an otherwise solid sale of Impressionist & Modern art.
Brancusi and Picasso lift total at Christie’s New York
16 May 2017A record for a sculpture by Constantin Brancusi and a 1930s Pablo Picasso portrait of Dora Maar boosted the total at Christie’s Impressionist and Modern art auction in New York last night.
Public consultation to go ahead into British hallmarking overseas
15 May 2017A public consultation into the use of British hallmarks for stamping items made overseas will be held after the general election in June, the British Hallmarking Council (BHC) has confirmed to ATG.
Higher auction margins and private sales boost Sotheby’s results
10 May 2017Sotheby’s latest set of results for the first quarter of 2017 showed an improvement in its fortunes over the equivalent period last year.
York’s Fairfax House seeks funds to buy Grinling Gibbons panel from Leeds dealer
08 May 2017Fairfax House in York is trying to raise £300,000 to purchase a panel by the celebrated woodcarver Grinling Gibbons (1648-1721) from dealer Tomasso Brothers.
Nazi-looted picture withdrawn from sale in Austria
08 May 2017Austrian saleroom im Kinsky has hit out at the “biased reporting” and “aggressive reaction” to its decision to offer a Nazi-looted painting at auction. With heightened media coverage about the consignment, the portrait of a Dutch merchant by Bartholomeus van der Helst (1613-1670) was eventually withdrawn shortly before it was due to be offered in Vienna at the end of last month.
CINOA snubs resale right conference
02 May 2017An attempt by collecting agencies and copyright organisations to establish a global treaty on Artist’s Resale Right has been met with strong opposition from international trade bodies.
Old Master returned to Poland
02 May 2017An Old Master marine painting looted by the Nazis during the Warsaw Uprising in 1944 has been returned to Poland.
Online buyers boost spend according to Hiscox Online Art Trade Report
02 May 2017The overall value of online sales in the art market increased by 15% in the last year, though many buyers remain cautious about purchasing in this way, according to the annual Hiscox Online Art Trade Report.
Old Master marine painting looted by Nazis returned to Poland
01 May 2017Dutch Old Master marine painting looted by the Nazis during the Warsaw Uprising in 1944 has been returned to Poland.