Latest News Articles by Ian McKay
Star turns of a gigantic sale
14 June 2021Auction marking German firm Reiss & Sohn’s 50th anniversary included earthly and heavenly delights
EH Shepard art sold in Dallas
14 June 2021An Illustration Art sale held in Dallas by Heritage (25/20/12% buyer’s premium) included a classic EH Shepard Winnie-the-Pooh work.
Into US battle – the English version
14 June 2021An Americana sale held by Swann (25/20/12% buyer’s premium) was led at $55,000 (£39,855) by an 1830, Palmyra first of 'The Book of Mormon'.
British and Irish book auctions: June 15-July 1
14 June 2021Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions.
Map of Arabia and the Gulf and others break estimate boundaries in Oxford saleroom
07 June 2021Captain EF Hunter’s 'Map of Arabia and The Persian Gulf' was one of the lots fetching sums considerably in advance of what looked to be quite modest estimates in an Oxford book sale.
David Lloyd George takes on foxy features
07 June 2021Based on a slightly earlier American original called The Landlords Game, this example of Brer Fox an’ Brer Rabbit dates to 1913.
‘Living saint’ Einstein proves he is not always deadly serious
07 June 2021Sold for $42,500 (£30,795) was a very appealing Einstein lot that offered a short but amusing letter dating from November 1928 and a signed photo-portrait.
Example of 'the first American board game' sold in San Francisco
07 June 2021The Travellers Tour through the United States of 1822 was once described as the first American board game.
British and Irish book auctions: June 8-19, 2021
07 June 2021Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions.
Chaucer and Newton make it big at Bonhams
31 May 2021Famous Kelmscott edition and copies of unpublished letters both attract strong bidding at Bonhams' books sale
London calling in Colchester saleroom
31 May 2021A New and Correct Plan of the Cities of London, Westminster and Borough of Southwark sold at Reeman Dansie (20% buyer’s premium) of Colchester was offered on behalf of an un-named charity.
Rare Bentley memorabilia focuses on successes at Le Mans
31 May 2021Bentley owners and fanciers had the opportunity to acquire some scarce memorabilia in a spring sale at Bourne End Auctions (17.5% buyer’s premium).
Binding is auction gold
31 May 2021Sold for £3000 as part of a four-day sale held by Bellmans (22% buyer’s premium) of Wisborough Green was what was billed as a gold mounted rectangular book binding, probably European and 19th century but in the 18th century taste.
British and Irish book auctions: June 1-18, 2021
31 May 2021Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions.
An Americana extravaganza
24 May 2021Early Declaration of Independence leads a line-up celebrating key historical events stateside
The call of bigger premises
24 May 2021Albert Einstein letter on Communism is one of the stand-out performers in a Chicago auction
Fables and gospels in 1931 format
24 May 2021Copy of the 1931 Golden Cockerel edition of The Four Gospels illustrated with woodcuts by Eric Gill stars in Bath auction.
British and Irish book auctions: May 25-June 11, 2021
24 May 2021Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions.
Rare work detailed the trial of the last woman to be condemned for witchcraft in England
17 May 2021Bid to £2000 at Dominic Winter (20% buyer’s premium) was a 1712 first of Francis Bragge’s 'Witchcraft Farther Display’d', a rare work that opens with an account of the case of Jane Wenham – the last woman to be condemned for witchcraft in England.
Cuddled up with a good read
17 May 2021A couple of Winston Churchill letters were among the more successful lots in a second selection from a History in Manuscript collection* formed over the last 20 years and offered at Sotheby’s (26/20/13.9% buyer’s premium).