Auctions

News and previews of art and antiques sold at auctions throughout the UK and overseas, from multi-million-pound blockbusters to affordable collectables.


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Blend of science and witchcraft still casts a spell

16 January 2023

One of the most interesting pictures sold at the latest series of Old Master sales in London was an interior scene by David Teniers the Younger (1610-90).

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Dam Busters poster is stirring stuff

16 January 2023

Considered one of the best British movies about the Second World War, the British quad-sized poster for 'The Dam Busters' (1955) was not too bad either.

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Lust and found: van Gogh film poster

16 January 2023

Top price at the Ewbank’s (25% buyer’s premium) poster auction on January 6 came for a design that was a work of art in itself.

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Churchill gathers sale demand

16 January 2023

An inscription bearing Winston Churchill’s signature and dated 1948 found in a single volume of his famous history of the Second World War that came to auction in Cumbria was believed to be authentic.

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Valuable consignment delivered on foot

16 January 2023

One of the most local consignments provided arguably the most notable lot at a Busby (21% buyer’s premium) sale in Bridport, Dorset, on November 17.

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Sleepers woken up via the internet

16 January 2023

Demonstrating how the internet has transformed the market for potential sleepers, three portraits that drew strong interest recently at different auctions in the UK and Europe all sold to online buyers.

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The Salvator Mundi effect: a market transformation

16 January 2023

Ever since the record-breaking $400m sale of Salvator Mundi at Christie’s back in 2017, the market seems to have become fascinated with other treatments of the subject.

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Momentous lots of Irish history sold at Fonsie Mealy

16 January 2023

Easter Rising republic proclamation and Wolfe Tone’s revolutionary tract are sold on home turf.

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Previews: issue 2576

16 January 2023

A selection of 13 upcoming lots from auctions taking place around the UK.

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Mystery lot goes from £40-60 guide to £24,000

16 January 2023

A December 6 auction in Exeter was dominated by a lot estimated at just £40-60 but sold instead at £24,000.

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Presentation copy of Paddington Bear first edition sells to American bidder

16 January 2023

Having featured prominently on television in a specially made part of the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, Paddington Bear hardly needs any more publicity.

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By Markwick Markham… or not

16 January 2023

English names from a defunct clock manufactory were used for familiarity in an export market

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Old Masters: Still lifes take centre stage at sale of purchasing pioneer's collection

16 January 2023

Juan Manuel Grasset became part of a new generation who bought directly at auction from the 1960s

British and Irish book auctions: January 17-February 4, 2023

16 January 2023

Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions.

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Fortune favours the bold designer Cappiello

16 January 2023

Among the most eagerly contested lots in a sale of vintage posters was a set of three unrestored advertising posters by the Tuscany-born, Paris-based Leonetto Cappiello (1875-1942).

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Famous owner of Steiff bulldog boosts toy value

16 January 2023

A collectors’ timed online sale at Mallams (25% buyer’s premium) included a group lot of early 20th century juvenalia owned by a key figure in Second World War naval intelligence.

2575NEDI Staffordshire Jug

Pick of the week: Huge jug from 1835 bigs up London china dealer

09 January 2023

This monumental and documentary Staffordshire blue and white transfer printed jug sold for $4800 (£4000) as part of Bonhams Skinner’s sale of British pottery and porcelain that ran online from Marlborough, Massachusetts, in the last days of 2022.

Star Wars Luke Skywalker

Hoard of original Star Wars action figures discovered

09 January 2023

The Star Wars collecting world has been rocked by the discovery of a cache of original action figures still packed in original Kenner factory shipping boxes.

Charles II mug

Flea market find depicting Charles II takes five-figure sum at auction

09 January 2023

Found at a flea market, this tin-glazed earthenware mug sold for £12,000 (plus 19.5% buyer’s premium) at Claydon Auctioneers.

Delft plate

A William & Mary delft plate is among six lots to watch

09 January 2023

With estimates from £20, here are six previews of items coming up at auction this week.

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