Collectables

The sale at Moore Allen & Innocent on October 11-12 includes a series of personal items relating to William Duke of Clarence, later William IV (1765-1837).

When it comes to the value of classic railway station signs, key factors include: is the site now disused? Was it from a holiday resort? Is it an early design?

In the wake of an auction record for an ‘aquarium’ lighter at Chiswick Auctions (25/12% buyer’s premium), six more of the classic Dunhill accessories lit up the saleroom.

An elaborate Victorian meerschaum pipe stood out at a recent Surrey sale.

Specialist Bleasdale says his sewing antiques and Tunbridgeware timed online sales are working out well

Massive ornamental hair combs such as this are associated with the East Sumbanese people of modern Indonesia.

A recent Devin Moisan (25% buyer’s premium) sale was topped by a 1974 Chinese snuff bottle decorated by Wang-Hsi (Xisan).

Defeated Confederate general gave out uniform items as gifts until the government cracked down

Aaron Kasmin, a British artist, became fascinated by US feature matchbooks.

The name Steve Ditko (1927-2018) scarcely needs an introduction to comic collectors.

A postcard carried on the world’s first official airmail flight came up for auction in Staffordshire.

Firmly 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).

Stand-out original among the 76 pieces from Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson’s workshops offered at Tennants’ (22% buyer’s premium) 20th Century Design auction was a carved oak monk sold with its working drawing.

Businessman Nigel Ross runs a group of commercial property investment companies and divides his time between homes in England and Florida with business trips to New Zealand and elsewhere.

Art Deco had a profound influence on all categories – not just art, sculpture or luxury furnishings but also on the design of more utilitarian items.

The Harrison semi-automatic pedestal knitting machine was designed c.1900 for producing rib socks.

A bound volume presenting the first seven issues of Magic Comic issued by DC Thomson in 1939 proved a highlight in a Comic Book Auctions (19% buyer’s premium) sale of June 4.

Trio of collections is offered in Perth auction with estimates pitched to entice bidders