Latest News Articles by Tom Derbyshire
Vesta match cases fire up auction interest at Lawrences in Somerset
14 December 2016Most collectors have a burning passion. For John and Patricia McKenzie, the items that fired their interest were vesta cases, the small portable boxes made to contain matches and keep them dry.
First European paper money up at auction in Spink in New York
13 December 2016Plastic money has been a bone of contention recently thanks to the strange revelation that the new UK £5 notes include animal fat. But one day the polymer notes will surely be as normal and accepted as the existing paper examples, assuming physical money has not all but disappeared anyway by then.
Very rare Elizabethan jack of plate armour bought by the V&A at Thomas Del Mar auction
13 December 2016If you want to imagine what a bulletproof vest might look like if designed in the 16th century, a couple of fascinating pieces of very rare armour bought by the Victoria & Albert Museum give a clue.
First commercially produced typewriter the Malling-Hansen Writing Ball sells at Cologne auction
12 December 2016As you peruse this story on your computer, smartphone or tablet, take a look at the keyboard on said devices and spare a thought for the Rev Rasmus Malling-Hansen (1835-90).
Zulu War Rorke's Drift 1879 medal sells for record sum at Dix Noonan Webb auction
12 December 2016“Zulus, Sir. Thousands of ‘em” - one of the classic lines from the 1964 film starring Stanley Baker and Michael Caine that brought the heroic defence of Rorke’s Drift to public attention.
RAF Battle of Britain Irvin flying jacket sells for £4600 at C&T auction
09 December 2016Uniforms can be a hard sell at militaria auctions. Medals for example are nice and easy to display, while guns can sit high on the wall or in a cabinet, but what do you do with a full set of battledress unless you happen to be a re-enactor or happen to live in a mansion with lots of room for mannequins?
Medal specialist David Erskine-Hill returns to Spink
09 December 2016Medals specialist David Erskine-Hill has left Dix Noonan Webb to rejoin former employer Spink.
England football goalscoring great Steve Bloomer international caps up for auction at Penzance saleroom
08 December 2016In September last year Wayne Rooney hit his 48th goal for England, overtaking at last Sir Bobby Charlton’s scoring record. But the achievements of a much earlier England star will be celebrated on December 15 thanks to an auction in Cornwall.
Lego HO scale plastic cars roar into Astons West Midlands auction
06 December 2016Star Wars, Action Man and plastic soldiers are just three of the toy collectable fields growing in demand as buyers get all nostalgic about their childhoods. Another biggie in this market is Lego.
Sword presented by grateful passengers saved from pirate attack peril on offer at London auction house Dix Noonan Webb
29 November 2016Besides the danger of a dog bite, delivering the mail is not generally seen as a perilous business. However, as a presentation sword up at auction in London shows, on occasion it can be a matter of life or death.
War of the Worlds film poster from 1953 on offer at Dudley auction
25 November 2016The War of the Worlds 1953 British quad film poster is regarded as a scarce must-have in that collecting market.
Medal Group at auction from “the greatest British aviator”
15 November 2016It is easy to understand the appeal of a Victoria Cross to medal collectors. Likewise, any honours connected with the name ‘Dambusters’ or those awarded to flying ‘aces’ have a high value.
Old London photographs impress at new saleroom
11 November 2016The first two-day auction held at The Cotswold Auction Company’s new Bankside saleroom in Love Lane, Cirencester, clicked with one buyer especially.
‘Unique’ Emile Gallé lamp sells to Florida museum at $260,000
04 November 2016The Modernism Museum Mount Dora in Florida is the proud new owner of a possibly unique Emile Gallé Allium floor lamp which sold for a hammer price of $260,000 (£167,740) or $310,000 including premium.
New auction highs for ‘castle-top’ card cases at Salisbury saleroom
03 November 2016Smashing an auction record is one thing – doing it several times in the same sale is another.
Nelson portrait with Emma Hamilton connection at Charles Miller auction
01 November 2016An antique’s appearance in an exhibition in a gallery or museum can help boost auction value in several ways. One factor after the show is adding to the provenance: this item was so important it was selected for a landmark display on the artist or designer.
First World War Red Baron victim's aircraft fabric on auction in Bristol
31 October 2016Manfred von Richthofen aka the Red Baron is one of those historical figures with a high fascination value, meaning high demand for relics.
The Irish 20p coin from 1985 which could be worth £7000-8000
25 October 2016It is not always the most obviously valuable coins that make the most at auction. Or even the ones with the highest original value. A humble Irish 20p dating from the relatively recent year of 1985 is a good case in point.
Medals results tempt fresh vendors to try their luck
20 September 2016A good sale not only means a welcome bulge in the company wallet but also the tantalising prospect of more consignments to come.
Archive of Great War nurse brings £11,200 at Derbyshire auction
02 September 2016An archive telling the poignant story of one of the 300 nurses who lost their lives during the First World War sold for £11,200 at Hansons of Etwall latest sale.