Latest News Articles by Tom Derbyshire
What price an early Harry Potter book?
11 September 2023The earliest book on the boy wizard continues to entrance collectors
Harry Potter: the children’s book series that became a phenomenon
11 September 2023“I get loads and loads of emails and calls all the time from people whose eyes have lit up when they see those words ‘first edition’…”
Victorian centre table is among five lots to watch
04 September 2023With estimates from £1000, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week.
Wisden: nearly 160 years not out
04 September 2023Extensive selection of the long-running cricket guides on offer at auction runs up a market test
Pick of the week: Lessons pointed the poor towards job skills
28 August 2023Well known for pottery, Sally Tuffin (b.1938) is also renowned for pioneering 1960s fashion as part of the Foale and Tuffin firm.
A Victorian coffee maker and a racing pigeon picture are among five lots to watch
28 August 2023With estimates from £300, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week.
Pick of the week: Renowned wax modeller tests his marble skills
21 August 2023Joseph Towne (1806-79) is best known for pioneering the creation of anatomical wax models, many of which are now displayed at a medical museum at Guy’s Hospital in London.
Title of the Lord of the Manor of Silverstone is among five lots to watch
21 August 2023With estimates from £2000, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week.
Henry James refugee work is rare sale visitor on vellum
21 August 2023Refugees in Chelsea was written by Henry James (1843-1916) to help the local Chelsea Committee to raise funds in the US to start an industry for crippled Belgian soldiers.
Mr Punch jester’s rattle is among five lots to watch
14 August 2023With estimates from £40, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week.
Postcard flies into postal history with first airmail
14 August 2023A postcard carried on the world’s first official airmail flight came up for auction in Staffordshire.
Early Commando comics stir the blood of collectors
14 August 2023Firmly in the British jingoistic ‘boy’s own’ tradition, a collection of Commando comic books turned heads when offered at Stourbridge saleroom Fieldings last year (see ATG No 2556).
Nurse’s Boer War belt bought by private museum
07 August 2023A silver and gold presentation belt given to a civilian volunteer nurse who looked after the sick and wounded during the Siege of Ladysmith during the second Boer War has soared over estimate in a London auction.
A Victorian Wellington chest is among five lots to watch
07 August 2023With estimates from £300, here are five previews of items coming up for auction this week.
Newspaper cartoonist Giles attracts serious collecting interest
07 August 2023In recent times the work of newspaper cartoonists has been reassessed with a nod to its artistic, technical and historical merit.
Victoria Cross value – without the actual VC
07 August 2023Such was the notoriety of Gunner James Collis that his family did not attend the funeral even though he had three sons in the army.