Collectables

Rediscovered books and manuscripts that once belonged to former antiquarian book dealer John Percival Love and had been stored away in a bank vault for nearly 50 years captivated collectors and the trade alike at auction.

The British and US postal clerks aboard transatlantic liners had the duty of sorting the mail during the passage.

Robert Opie, consumer historian and collector, has been saving “evidence of the branded world” since he was 16.

Richard Potter (1783-1835) is considered the first successful stage magician born in the US and African-American celebrity.

Actress cheated by the Prince of Wales turned to a campaign based on ‘injustice of mental subordination’

A printing of George Washington’s 1795 Thanksgiving Day proclamation sold way above hopes at Sarasota Estate Auction (23% buyer’s premium) in Florida.

Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions

Noonans was the dominant player in the London coins and medals auction market in 2023 with a market share of almost 32%, ATG’s exclusive annual special report reveals.

With clients including the Maharajah of Kutch, Queen Victoria and multiple princes and dukes, Holmes & Co was one of the top coachbuilders of the 19th century.

Once considered to be the refuge of geeky teenagers, fantasy and sci-fi role playing and tabletop gaming is now hugely popular, with various celebs keen to proclaim their passion for all things orc and elf.

Daniel Eccleston, a retired well-to-do West Indian and American merchant based in Queen Street, Lancaster, planned to issue this halfpenny token in 1794.

The 1705 silver crown is one of the key rarities in the Queen Anne (1702-14) series.

An ‘18th century’ bible turned out to be far more valuable as a first issue King James “He” version

Thousands of items are available to buy from dealers online. Here we pick out one that caught our eye this week.

A hunting rifle believed to have belonged to Napoleon Bonaparte when he ruled as emperor of France led the line at Alexander Historical Auctions (25% buyer’s premium).