Latest News Articles by Tom Derbyshire
Archive of most famous hangman Albert Pierrepoint up at auction in West Sussex
11 May 2018It must have broken the ice at parties: ‘So, what do you do?’ Reply: ‘I’m a hangman…’
Dalek playsuit for when little ones want to exterminate, exterminate
10 May 2018I could wax lyrical about the full-size Dalek coming up for auction at a Staffordshire auction house Richard Winterton on May 21. But various versions tend to be offered relatively frequently, to be honest. How often do you have the chance to buy a ‘Dalek Playsuit’, though?
Writing box secret drawer reveals a sharpshooter pistol rather than sharp nib
09 May 2018When we wrote about Charles Miller’s latest auction in London one of the star lots was a magnificent Asprey travelling case for the gentleman who needs everything. However, it was missing one particular item which a writing box on offer at the Dominic Winter May 18 sale provides.
Honours of the previous Duke of Cambridge before Prince William come to auction in London
08 May 2018The Duke of Cambridge, aka Prince William, has been in the news recently for obvious reasons but it is the last holder of the title before him who will be in the spotlight at London auction house Sotheby’s this summer.
Remarkable military insignia collection displays its charm at Thomas Del Mar auction
08 May 2018Collectors can be a hard bunch to predict. When an extensive group comes to auction – one of the best of its type – the buyers’ response may be strong across the board, or it can be seen as a sudden glut on the market and only the top items get picked off.
Fresh details and opening date announced as V&A Photography Centre clicks into action
07 May 2018More details and a launch date have emerged for the Victoria and Albert Museum’s new Photography Centre.
Ottawa museum buys Canadian VC group
07 May 2018One of the finest Victoria Cross medals awarded to a Canadian recipient will be staying in Canada thanks to a successf ul fundraising campaign.
Movers and shakers: appointments in the auction house world
03 May 2018A look at the latest moves in the trade.
Silver centrepiece up at auction is a reminder of rich regimental histories
02 May 2018Among the rich history of the British military is the story of regimental silver. As regiments are disbanded or amalgamated much of this history has been in danger of fading away, but these magnificent examples of silver help to keep memories alive.
Busby contract demands the beautiful game
30 April 2018Manchester United fans grumbling about the current style of play will be interested to learn that when Matt Busby joined as manager he was contractually obliged to play entertaining football.
Matt Busby first Manchester United contract up at auction demands attractive football style
26 April 2018Forget Jose Mourinho being criticised for a stultifying style of play at Manchester United – when Matt Busby started as manager of the Red Devils he was contractually obliged to play entertaining football.
Spink specialist takes role as Lord Ashcroft’s medals curator
23 April 2018Spink medals specialist David Erskine-Hill is leaving to take over as Lord Ashcroft’s medals curator on the retirement of Michael Naxton.
The trailblazing bicycle design made instantly redundant by the pneumatic tyre comes to auction
20 April 2018You have to feel some sympathy for the innovative designers Charles Linley and John Biggs. Having just perfected a classic bicycle using an ingenious method of shock absorbing for a solid-tyre bike, then the pneumatic tyre came along.
Magnificent travelling case for the gentleman who needs everything is up at auction
18 April 2018Nowadays a ‘gentleman’ travelling is probably more concerned about a mobile phone charger than the delights contained in an extraordinary case coming up at auction on May 1.
Huddersfield Town and Manchester United football legends remembered in auction lots
17 April 2018What do Denis Law and George ‘Bomber’ Brown have in common? The answer is Huddersfield Town, whose miraculous survival in the Premier League seems to have been confirmed after beating Watford 1-0 in the latest round of games.
Gramophone needle tins up at auction show the appeal of niche collecting
16 April 2018By the law of averages, there must be a collector out there for just about any antique. So while gramophone collecting is not that unusual, gramophone needle tins definitely push into the ‘niche’ category.
Badges of distinction
16 April 2018Military badges offered at Bosleys provided a good snapshot of a niche collecting area.
Praise for inglorious SAS mission in the Falklands War
16 April 2018A gripping story which, until recently, has remained shrouded in mystery, provides the backdrop for an intriguing test of the market for SAS medals.
‘I should be dead now – it was a decent shot’
16 April 2018A veteran of the Afghanistan war, a sniper who fought on for 90 minutes after being shot in the neck, is selling his medals in a London auction as he returns to civilian life.
Second World War Leitz lens clearly a £70 bargain
16 April 2018Bought recently for just £70 in a job lot, this German military-issue Leitz lens below sold for £5500 in Special Auction Services (17.5 buyer’s premium) Photographica sale on March 13. The Hektor 13.5cm f/4.5 lens, offered with an estimate of £4000-6000, sold to the European trade.