Latest News Articles by Tom Derbyshire
Coley joins Hindman
08 February 2021US auction house Hindman has appointed experienced antiquities expert Jacob Coley as director and senior specialist of the Antiquities Department.
Lockdales finds high demand for militaria in lockdown
01 February 2021Weapons proved a highlight of the Lockdales (18% buyer’s premium) Coins, Medals & Militaria auction on January 23-24 held during the third lockdown.
How hurling a lump of iron at Churchill earned a medal
01 February 2021A ‘Hunger Strike’ Women’s Social and Political Union Medal awarded to a Suffragette who threw at lump of iron at Winston Churchill’s car made £10,000.
Handy combo for a Scottish picnic
01 February 2021This Victorian dirk – with ensuite knife and fork – sold for 10 times the top estimate, £2000, at McTear’s (24% buyer’s premium) in Glasgow on January 21.
Collectors answer action figure call to arms
25 January 2021How did toy manufacturers get boys in the rather less PC 1960s to play with dolls?
TV legend Gerry Anderson treasure trove brings demand at Surrey sale
25 January 2021Models, props, scenery and scripts linked to Gerry Anderson emerged for sale at Ewbank’s (25% buyer’s premium) in Send, Surrey at the end of last year.
18th century Neapolitan world in miniature comes to US auction
25 January 2021It was not uncommon in the 18th century for a doll to be presented within its own miniature doll-scaled world.
Bing model fires the imagination at Tennants
25 January 2021As with so many other collecting areas recently, the conditions of lockdown – meaning spare money and time for the fortunate – have led to buoyant demand for toys, models and collectables.
Pelham professor makes his mark at British Toy Auctions
25 January 2021The British Toy Auctions (18% buyer’s premium) sale on January 8 in Runcorn included several Pelham Puppets rarities.
Märklin made for the American market draws major demand
25 January 2021The cow catcher and bell on this Gauge 1 clockwork loco gives the game away: although made by German firm Märklin, the set was for the American market.
Let there be light in Staines
25 January 2021Shown below is a page from another early railway-related work that did well at auction.
Pelham Puppets galore appear at Devon sale
25 January 2021An extensive selection of Pelham Puppets came up on the first day of the Piers Motley (18% buyer’s premium) auction in Devon on January 18-20.
Early railway toys puff into Newbury
25 January 2021This charming early English-style station below was produced for the export market by German toy manufacturer Märklin.
Put your foot on the pedal as Junior Austin sells at H&H Classics
25 January 2021Auction house H&H Classics (15% buyer’s premium) is best known for selling full-sized vehicles but a smaller model impressed in a recent automobilia sale.
Volvo diecast toy makes 12-times estimate
25 January 2021This Volvo PV 444 diecast toy is by the Swedish toy distributor Gösta Norén.
Toys and models: Homes under the hammer
25 January 2021Furnished dolls’ houses and accessories in general are proving the most dynamic area of the collecting market
Dinky Octopus pulls in eager bidders
25 January 2021A Dinky Supertoys 935 Leyland Octopus flat truck with chains in its original box sold for £8200 at Kent saleroom C&T (22% buyer’s premium) on January 14.
Sales push: miniature pram and doll among the Kent stand-out lots
25 January 2021The strong level of prices being paid by collectors for dolls’ house furniture was underlined at a recent C&T sale.
Dolls’ house furniture is sitting comfortably
25 January 2021The collecting market for dolls’ house furniture has been enjoying a boom period if recent prices have been anything to go by.
Man City owner was buyer of oldest FA Cup
18 January 2021The oldest surviving FA Cup was bought by Manchester City FC owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed when it sold at auction last year, it has now been revealed.