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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Postcard flies into postal history with first airmail

14 August 2023

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

Books and works on paper auction calendar, August 15-September 11, 2023

14 August 2023

Our regular listing of auctions available via thesaleroom.com

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Georgian tea silver warms up the bidding

14 August 2023

While a few examples survive from the 17th and the very early 18th century, teacups and saucers are a rare form in Georgian silver.

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Nidhogg nestles in Yggdrasil: a Viking bronze die for armour

14 August 2023

A fine example of Viking metalworking was offered at Noonans (24% buyer’s premium) in Mayfair on July 18.

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Plaquette pays tribute to – or mocks – speaker Lenthall

14 August 2023

William Lenthall (1591-1662) was chosen as Speaker of the Houses of Commons at the beginning of the Long Parliament in 1640.

Figure of Mercury

Summer scorchers: Trio of big prices blows away August cobwebs

14 August 2023

A usually quiet August was dramatically awakened by a series of sleepers that emerged at three UK regional auction houses.

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Cypriot ‘plank’ figure sets a mystery

14 August 2023

Most terracotta plank figures from Bronze Age Cyprus have been found in Lapithos, a once important coastal centre on the north of the island.

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Old Master sales in London bring good and bad news

14 August 2023

Strong results and supply boost the market but challenges remain with bidders highly selective

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Tutankhamen pharaoh tomb find detailed in three volumes

14 August 2023

Account of the discovery of Tutankhamen’s tomb comes as rare set with dust jackets intact

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Playing card games with a new Surrealist face

14 August 2023

From late 1940 to early 1941 André Breton and a group of other Surrealists including Wifredo Lam, Max Ernst, Oscar Dominguez, Victor Brauner, André Masson and Frédéric Delanglade re-located to Marseille where they anxiously awaited visas to escape occupied France.

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Early Commando comics stir the blood of collectors

14 August 2023

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).

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Liner launcher mallet exempted from ivory trade ban

14 August 2023

The ivory-made launching mallet and silver casket from the ill-fated RMS Empress of Ireland came for sale at McTear’s (24% buyer’s premium) in Glasgow.

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Alain Delon: actor and art and antiques collector

14 August 2023

Famous Frenchman has amassed an impressive wide-ranging array of acquisitions over six decades

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Milk jug made for William Beckford’s Fonthill Abbey comes to auction

14 August 2023

Ornate creation from Gothic fantasy comes for sale as part of the Bayreuth collection

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Cheap cape but £21,000 for in demand Star Wars Jawa figure

14 August 2023

The Vinyl Cape Jawa was the first Star Wars action figure to assume mythic status among collectors.

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Heal's garden seat was fashioned from Churchill’s yacht

14 August 2023

This Heal’s set of garden furniture added seasonal warmth to Great Western Auctions’ (24% buyer’s premium) Glasgow sale.

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Oscar Wilde letter ponders inverted commas

14 August 2023

A fine Oscar Wilde letter sold for £16,000 at Dawsons (25% buyer’s premium) in Maidenhead on June 29.

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Previews: issue 2605

14 August 2023

Our selection of lots at seven upcoming UK auctions

Cricket bat

Bid Barometer: issue 2605

14 August 2023

ATG’s pick of auction lots bought by internet bidders on thesaleroom.com, featuring both the highest prices over-estimate and the top prices paid online.

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Cat conveys a sense of calm and domestic comfort

14 August 2023

The presence of a cat added commercial appeal to a 17th century portrait of a young girl offered at Bonhams’ latest Old Master sale in London.

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