Collectables

The term ‘collectables’ (or collectibles) encompasses a vast range of items in fields as diverse as arms, armour and militaria, bank notes, cameras, coins, entertainment and sporting memorabilia, stamps, taxidermy, wines and writing equipment.

Some collectables are antiques, others are classed as retro, vintage or curios but all are of value to the collector. In any of these fields, buyers seek out rarities and items with specific associations.

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Famous David Bowie bodysuit photos take centre stage

19 June 2023

These two archival prints of David Bowie dressed in a striped bodysuit he wore during the 1973 Aladdin Sane tour were part of Chiswick Auctions’ (25% buyer’s premium) sale of 19th and 20th Century Photographs on May 31.

Books and works on paper auction calendar, June 20-29, 2023

19 June 2023

Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions

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The Freddie Mercury Collection: A kind of auction magic

19 June 2023

Queen singer Freddie Mercury’s art and antiques collection is coming up for sale in September.

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RAF signatures? I’ve got a Few

19 June 2023

Illustrious names feature under portraits in a book about flying heroes from the Second World War

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Mousetrap signed by Agatha Christie for Inspector Morse actor

19 June 2023

A 1954 edition of 'The Mousetrap' play script offered on June 6 at the Cotswold Auction Company (24% buyer’s premium) was inscribed by the author “For James Grout on our 6th birthday, Agatha Christie”.

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Brown Bess triggers a five-figure auction bid

19 June 2023

Despite its many shortcomings in terms of accuracy and reliability, the flintlock Long Land Pattern smoothbore musket – or Brown Bess to give it its more familiar nickname – remained in use from 1722 until the introduction of the percussion cap in 1838.

Corday letter

Letter by Marat murderer Corday bought by Normandy institutions

14 June 2023

A letter of justification by the woman who assassinated the French Revolutionary journalist and politician Jean-Paul Marat has been bought by a group of Normandy institutions at auction.

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Market fresh breeze blows through Scottish saleroom

12 June 2023

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

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Because folk art is worth it…

12 June 2023

Dealer explains why he is holding a show instead of standing at a fair as he has done for about 40 years

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Davenport comes with a tuneful twist

12 June 2023

A musical ‘captain’s desk’ davenport sold for £9500 at Tennants’ (22% buyer’s premium) Scientific and Musical Instruments sale in Leyburn on May 17.

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Nelson launches Emma defence

12 June 2023

Annotation of 1803-04 work included in a single collection features remark about his mistress

British and Irish book auctions: June 12-26, 2023

12 June 2023

Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions

Antique character doll,

Pick of the week: German antique doll doubles estimate at auction

12 June 2023

A buyer got their teeth into an antique doll at auction despite the foot being chewed off by the family' pet dog.

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Special relationship in action 1745 style

12 June 2023

A print commemorating an 18th century example of British and American military cooperation was given as a present 200 years later to mark another joint success.

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Engels the editor at Munich sales

12 June 2023

Hermann Historica’s (25% buyer’s premium inc VAT) huge series of sales in Munich included what it billed as ‘a key document from German history’.

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Astronomical clock ticks tech boxes as innovative timekeeper offered at Drouot

12 June 2023

De Baecque & Associés will be selling this monumental astronomical clock standing 9ft 11in (3m) high on June 30.

Sir John Hunt’s mittens and ephemera

Everest 1953 expedition leader’s mittens reunited after auction

05 June 2023

Mittens worn by British Everest expedition leader Sir John Hunt in 1953 have been reunited 70 years later following a successful auction bid, it has been revealed.

Sophia Duleep Singh archive

Pick of the week: Fascination for the Indian princess then Suffragette

05 June 2023

As timing goes, the sale date for an album of handwritten letters, photographs and ephemera related to Sophia Duleep Singh (1876-1948) could not have been much better.

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Prisoners who were publishers

05 June 2023

Periodicals were produced in a Scottish camp by inmates to make life a bit more meaningful

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Fruitwood box finds its sense of plaice but spoon bids stay selective

05 June 2023

Treen boxes and silver caddy spoons were sold as part of the Fine Silver sale at Anderson & Garland

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