Latest News Articles by Tom Derbyshire
Clock salvaged from German ship scuttled at Scapa Flow re-emerges at Sherborne auction
09 August 2021On a single day in 1919 the Imperial German Navy achieved the impressive feat of sinking 52 vessels. Unfortunately, they were its own ships.
Relic from an airship disaster offered at Spicers
09 August 2021A small fragment of a significant airship comes up for auction at Spicers in Old Goole, East Yorkshire, to mark a tragic centenary.
Relics reveal a distinguished military family
09 August 2021The Galloways were a distinguished Victorian military family, as a number of items sold at Bishop & Miller (22% buyer’s premium) revealed.
Silver salver gift to ‘Johnnie’ Johnson
09 August 2021Cheffins’ auction in Cambridge on August 26 includes a silver presentation salver given to Air Vice Marshal James Edgar ‘Johnnie’ Johnson (1915-2001), the highest-scoring Western Allied pilot against the Luftwaffe and the RAF’s officially recognised top-scoring fighter pilot of the Second World War.
Battered copy of Encyclopedia Britannia 'damaged at Trafalgar' sells at Charles Miller
09 August 2021An intriguing condition report that mentions ‘water and smoke damage’ gives a clue as to what happened to this battered copy of the Encyclopedia Britannia sold in a Charles Miller (24% buyer’s premium) auction.
Medals and militaria: Victoria Cross sets army auction record
09 August 2021A new high for a British army Victoria Cross as 'exceptional’ example also sets a house record for a medal at Dix Noonan Webb
Remarkable record of three very collectable regiments
09 August 2021Medals awarded to a recipient who served in three very collectable units sold for £14,000 at British Bespoke Auctions (22/15/12.5% buyer’s premium).
Catherine Southon sells telegraph message saying 'we sank the Bismarck'
09 August 2021This first-hand document recording one of the most significant naval events of the Second World War was offered at Catherine Southon (20% buyer’s premium) in Surrey this summer.
The ‘Tubby’ pilot who flew 100 operational sorties
09 August 2021As his nickname suggests, Wing Commander Sidney Baker (1918-2007) enjoyed the finer things in life.
Anthony Eden's military medals sold in Salisbury auction
09 August 2021The sale of a Military Cross group of honours at Woolley & Wallis (25/12% buyer’s premium) of Salisbury marked what is believed to be the first time that the medals of a British prime minister have been offered at auction.
ʻDead Man’s Penny’ awarded to female recipients
09 August 2021The near ubiquitous ‘Dead Man’s Penny’ of the First World War becomes a rarity should the recipient be female.
Hero esteemed as Nelson’s gallant protégé and friend
09 August 2021Letters written by Nelson to his wife make obvious his esteem for Captain Sir William Hoste KCB (1780-1828)
Illustrator Ronald Searle's sketches produced in Japanese POW camp sold as part of archive at Tennants
09 August 2021One of the prisoners to survive the horrors of the Changi camp in the Second World War was an art school dropout who later became a renowned illustrator.
Auction previews: issue 2504
09 August 2021A selection of 14 upcoming lots from auctions taking place around the UK
Bracelet worn by Princess Margaret in Cecil Beaton photo comes to auction in London
29 July 2021An Art Deco cultured pearl and diamond bracelet owned by Princess Margaret and worn for her 19th birthday photograph taken by Cecil Beaton in 1949 is coming up at auction.
Pick of the week: At least they didn’t have to deal with VAR…
26 July 2021One of only two known copies of the first edition of the rules of football printed by the world’s first football club came to auction at Sotheby’s on July 21.
Father and son both earned Polar Medals
26 July 2021What is believed to be the only father and son Polar Medal group to be awarded more than doubled the top estimate at Warren & Wignall (17.5% buyer’s premium) on July 14.
Auction previews: issue 2503
26 July 2021A selection of 16 upcoming lots from auctions taking place around the UK
Polar Medals sold at auction are believed to be the only father and son combination ever awarded
22 July 2021What is believed to be the only father and son Polar Medal group to be awarded more than doubled the top estimate at Warren & Wignall (17.5% buyer’s premium) on July 14.
Pick of the week: Helmet heads to Philadelphia
12 July 2021A Renaissance helmet sold at a London auction will be reunited with its garniture (set of armour) after being bought by Philadelphia Museum of Art (PMA).