Latest News Articles by Tom Derbyshire
Medals awarded to Britain's shortest-serving prime minister George Canning come up at London auction
25 January 2019Pub names can provide a snapshot of British history. Many years ago now, while subsisting on cheese on toast at a university hall of residence in south London, I was fascinated by the name of a nearby boozer called the George Canning.
Auction of a musical collection so large they bought the cottage over the road to house it
25 January 2019Collecting often leads to a certain obsession, as many enthusiasts with attics filled to burst or garages stuffed with boxes will admit. Take the example of a group now forming 700 lots to be dispersed at an Irish sale.
James Bond Moonraker laser rifle stuns at auction taking £22,000
22 January 2019A ‘Moonraker’ laser rifle and letter from Roger Moore are among sales highlights at a James Bond auction in the Midlands as Surrey auction house Ewbank’s prepares for its Bond and Beyond memorabilia sale.
Bluesman Booker White's legendary Hard Rock guitar emerges at Gardiner Houlgate auction
22 January 2019While Booker White is usually not the first bluesman who comes to mind, the musicians he inspired are instantly recognisable: the likes of Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison and The Rolling Stones.
Aviation museum sale takes flight in Carlisle
21 January 2019If the Battle of Britain is your collecting field, then the sale of a Kent collection held in late 2018 would have been a major draw.
James Bond memorabilia auctions include shocking letter from the saintly Roger Moore
11 January 2019Suave and sophisticated are the terms that come to mind when referring to the late, great and saintly James Bond actor Roger Moore. A raised eyebrow perhaps. But certainly not the word ‘bollocks’.
Zulu War relics from extensive collection on offer at Kent auction along with tribal art
03 January 2019Relics from the hard-fought defence of Rorke’s Drift in the Zulu War are among the lots for sale in a Kent auction as part of an extensive collection from the period.
Early Pink Floyd poster group beats estimate at auction
21 December 2018Posters covering band or artist appearances during the embryonic days of their development are proving very popular at auction – a trend underlined by a group of 1966 Pink Floyd designs.
One of those days in the saleroom as early Pink Floyd concert posters make thousands of pounds
18 December 2018Posters covering band or artist appearances during the embryonic days of their development are proving very popular at auction – a trend underlined by a group of mid-Sixties Pink Floyd designs.
Penguin pattie for you, sir? Ernest Shackleton’s British Antarctic Expedition menu comes to auction
17 December 2018Penguin patties, seal cutlets and roast reindeer – and lots of whisky – were on the menu for a famous meal which was followed by ‘Sledges at 12.30’.
Penguin patties and seal cutlets on the menu of the British Antarctic Expedition midwinter feast now up at auction in remarkable archive
17 December 2018Penguin patties, seal cutlets and roast reindeer - and lots of whisky - were on the menu for a famous midwinter celebration meal, followed by ‘Sledges at 12.30’.
Auction lot reveals the marketing genius of early garden design entrepreneur Humphry Repton
14 December 2018Long before the world became obsessed by marketing, branding and PR, garden designer Humphry Repton was way ahead of the game.
Caterpillar tracked
10 December 2018Bram van der Stok MBE was not only the most decorated aviator in Dutch history and one of just three men to successfully flee POW Camp Stalag Luft III in the ‘Great Escape’, but also a proud member of the Caterpillar Club.
‘New high’ for Hornby Dublo
10 December 2018A toy engine offered at North Yorkshire saleroom Tennants (20% buyer’s premium) sold for what is thought to be a new world record for a Hornby Dublo locomotive.
Steiff teddy bear all dressed up for a wedding
10 December 2018This very rare bear shown below made a very high price for such a small fellow – just 14cm (5½in) high.
German doll looks pretty good in original clothes
10 December 2018Despite some condition issues, such as composite body, right hand thumb missing and slight damage to fingers and feet, this bisque head Kämmer & Reinhardt 109 doll sold for £3900 at Hansons (20% buyer’s premium) on November 23.
Collector's tips: what affects the value of a First World War Victory Medal group?
30 November 2018Rarity is one of the key drivers when it comes to demand. So how do you add value to a medal which was awarded to about 5,725,000 British and Imperial recipients?
Adam Smith's own copy of Wealth of Nations comes to auction estimated at £500,000-800,000
28 November 2018Adam Smith’s personal copy of his first edition of his great work the Wealth of Nations is coming up at auction as part of Christie’s Books and Manuscripts sale on December 12 in London.
Five toy and model lots to watch out for at upcoming auctions
27 November 2018A selection of lots coming up in either dedicated toy and model auctions or sections within larger sales.
Pick of the Week: Lalique buckle is auction belter at Tennants
26 November 2018An unusual belt buckle by the Parisian jeweller and glass maker René Lalique which had been worn by the vendor throughout her nursing career has sold for £19,000 at a North Yorkshire auction.