Latest News Articles by Tom Derbyshire
Items from royal milliner Kate Day appear in the saleroom
01 May 2023Kate Day, known as the ‘Queen’s Milliner’, made hats for Queen Elizabeth II even before her coronation and continued afterwards.
Get your teeth into this royal memorabilia
01 May 2023A Cambridge auction included a Buckingham Palace note-card scribbled on with pencil drawings by a young Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret.
Pomp and ceremony at Gloucestershire auction as coronation robes go under the hammer
01 May 2023The reminder of earlier pomp and ceremony from a coronation came courtesy of a recent sale at Gloucestershire auction house Dominic Winter (20% buyer’s premium).
Letters reveal heartbreak of Princess Di
01 May 2023A collection of 32 letters and cards written by Diana, Princess of Wales to two friends came for sale at Lay’s (18% buyer’s premium).
A John Aldridge Great Bardfield picture is among five lots to watch
24 April 2023With estimates from £150, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week.
A silver-gilt bell used at George II's coronation is among five lots to watch
17 April 2023With estimates from £200, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week.
A rare South African Dinky toy car is among five lots to watch
10 April 2023With estimates from £280, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week.
A triptych design for church windows by artist John Piper is among five lots to watch
03 April 2023With estimates from £400, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week.
Dictionaries at the double at Newcastle auction
03 April 2023First published in 1755, Samuel Johnson’s 'A Dictionary of the English Language' had taken eight years to compile with six helpers.
Lucie Rie bowl given to her cleaning lady is among five lots to watch this week
27 March 2023With estimates from £300, here are five previews of items coming up at auction.
Ocean liner Art Deco relief surfaces in saleroom
27 March 2023When RMS Queen Mary was launched in 1934 it was not only at the cutting edge of technology but also featured some of the grandest interior designs ever seen aboard an ocean liner.
Alluring advertising plaque looks good at £2100
27 March 2023This polychrome advertising plaque features a portrait of Ninon de L’Enclos, a notorious courtesan who scandalised France by numerous affairs with prominent statesmen and church notables.
Puppy called Fairy was small stuff but a big result nevertheless
27 March 2023Many animals stuffed by taxidermists stand out as fiercesome beasts that could easily have turned on the hunters themselves.
Apology from Beatle Harrison to disappointed schoolgirl fan
27 March 2023A letter of apology written by George Harrison after two autograph-hunting schoolgirls got a distinctly unfriendly reception when they turned up on the doorstep of his home took £6100 at auction.
First 007 film Dr No still a thriller for poster fans
27 March 2023In the 007 collecting scene Dr No (1962) is usually the film poster buyers are most keen to say yes to.
Tapes set Rod Stewart on road to stardom
27 March 2023Shown here is the original 15ips (inches per second) tape of, by repute, Rod Stewart’s first recording on June 18, 1964, together with a second copy.