Latest News Articles by Ian McKay
A 17th century baffle of the sexes
27 January 2020Bible suggests confusion over ‘he’ or ‘she’ may not be purely a modern-day phenomenon.
‘Frost Fair’ broadsides: souvenir of a frozen Thames
27 January 2020Two ‘Frost Fair’ broadsides printed at one of the many stalls set up on the Thames during a hard 18th century winter in which London’s river froze over were sold in a recent sale held by Dominic Winter (20% buyer’s premium).
Rare copy of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s first book sells at Bonhams
27 January 2020Published anonymously in Boston in 1828, a copy of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s youthful first book, 'Fanshawe', sold for $38,000 (£28,790) at Bonhams New York (27.5/25/20/13.9%).
Virgil’s work becomes a Scottish literature classic
27 January 2020Fifty or so lots from the library of the Earls of Haddington that were offered as part of London sale included their fair share of exceptional lots.
British and Irish book auctions: January 28-February 13, 2020
27 January 2020Our regular listing of British and Irish book auctions.
Lewd awakenings in salerooms
20 January 2020Pocket guide to pleasure stimulates in Staffs and saucy memoir excites bidders in Yorks.
Poe-faced search for inspiration
20 January 2020This watercolour drawing by Charles Addams was one of the more successful lots in a December 10 Illustration Art sale held by Swann Galleries (25/20/10% buyer’s premium) in New York.
The Man on the Moon lives in a pumpkin
20 January 2020Among the more inspired catalogue cover illustrations featured in the end-of-year book auctions was one produced by Bonhams (27.5/25/20/13.9%) for a December 4 sale.
Bible that sets out its time, place, date – and printer
20 January 2020Among the very earliest printed works sold at auction at the end of last year was a beautifully illuminated Biblia Latina printed in August 1462, just seven years after the great Gutenberg Bible.
The real Carroll looking glass
20 January 2020The fact that Lewis Carroll (Charles Lutwidge Dodgson) regularly made use of a magnifying glass is noted by biographers and underlined by references found in his letters.
British and Irish book auctions: January 21-February 8, 2020
20 January 2020Our regular listing of British and Irish book auctions.
Sales reach Olympic heights
13 January 2020Games manifesto from 1892 and Audubon’s classic head a selection of money-spinners.
British and Irish book auctions: January 14-February 27, 2020
13 January 2020Our regular listing of British and Irish book sales.
John Gould’s ‘masterpiece’ is offered at auction in a rare complete set of 25 original parts
06 January 2020Bid just short of the high estimate to sell at £56,000 in a Dominic Winter (20% buyer’s premium) sale was a rare complete set in 25 original parts of John Gould’s 'Monograph of the Trochilidae, or Family of Humming Birds' of 1849-61.
Spartan artwork sparkles at £5700
06 January 2020As in its September auction, a double-page Frank Bellamy artwork featuring ‘Heros the Spartan’ proved a star turn in the latest Comic Book Auctions (19% buyer’s premium) online sale on thesaleroom.com.
Warfare manual given to a prince
06 January 2020A superb copy of Henry Hexham’s 'Principles of the Art Militarie' of 1637 was last seen at Sotheby’s in April 1919, as part of the library of the Earl of Chesterfield.
British and Irish book auctions: January 7-18, 2020
06 January 2020ATG’s calendar of book auctions taking place in the UK and Ireland from January 7-18, 2020.
A true travel treasure trove
23 December 2019Egypt views stand out among a selection also involving many other worldwide works
Games of genius and Uncle Sam
23 December 2019Among the selection of instructional games and pastimes featured at Forum Auctions (25/12/12% buyer’s premium) on November 21 two of the more successful lots were published by Edward Wallis.
Take a tour of 103 European cities
23 December 2019Bid to £3000 at Chiswick Auctions (25% buyer’s premium) on November 20 was a rare and early game.