Latest News Articles by Laura Chesters
Public cash call to help keep Armada maps in the UK
03 November 2020The National Museum of the Royal Navy hopes to raise £600,000 to stop the export of a group of hand-drawn Armada maps to an overseas buyer.
Drouot closes again as Paris locks down
02 November 2020Paris auction centre Hôtel Drouot has been forced to close its premises after French president Emmanuel Macron announced a second national lockdown.
Collector interview: 'Why I'm favouring home-grown comics over high-profile US versions'
02 November 2020Richard Sheaf, 44, is a collector and daily blogger on British comics.
New recruits and promotions at Hindman and Swann Galleries among the latest Movers & Shakers in the US
29 October 2020Auction houses Hindman in Chicago and Swann Galleries in New York have recently announced new roles.
Ming dynasty vase recovered in London after Swiss theft
28 October 2020A 15th century Chinese vase valued at around £2.5m has been recovered in London by the Met Police.
Online only auctions in Wales and Ireland as virus ‘fire breaks’ begin
26 October 2020Auction houses in Wales, Ireland and Northern Ireland are adjusting their sales calendars to accommodate the latest set of Covid-19 restrictions.
Drouot building soon open to all auction houses
26 October 2020Paris auction group Hôtel Drouot has reorganised its operations and will soon allow non-shareholder businesses to operate from its premises.
Trade fears axe of VAT-free shopping for tourists after Brexit
26 October 2020A government plan to end VAT-free shopping for international visitors next year will impact the UK art and antiques trade, say dealers.
Suffolk selection: artworks with a Suffolk theme feature in Ed Sheeran charity auction
22 October 2020A range of artworks with a Suffolk connection are being offered at a charity sale titled 'Ed Sheeran: Made in Suffolk Legacy Auction' at auction house Lacy Scott & Knight.
Antiques centre owner warns others of thieves’ technique after sky light break-in
21 October 2020The owner of an antiques centre has warned others to be vigilant and take extra precautions after being broken into via a sky light.
Rare first pressing of The Who’s ‘My Generation’ album signed by band members sells at seven-times estimate at auction
20 October 2020A rare first pressing of The Who’s My Generation album has sold at seven-times its top estimate at auction in Hertfordshire.
Trade threatened by £100m anti money laundering levy
19 October 2020The art market is lobbying government to try to stop a new levy on the sector for Anti Money Laundering initiatives.
Early 18th century documents detailing a slavery abolitionist's ill-fated project emerge at auction
17 October 2020Decades in advance of Britain’s Slave Emancipation Act of 1833, 275 British men, women and children attempted to settle an African island to prove plantations could be run without slavery.
Getty Museum buys 39 Dutch drawings from private collector
15 October 2020A group of Dutch drawings put together by a collector over a number of years has been acquired by the J Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles.
Gramophone bought by the Rothschild family for Waddesdon Manor comes to auction
14 October 2020A rare gramophone believed to have been bought by James de Rothschild (1878-1957) of the Rothschild banking dynasty, for the family home of Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire, is coming to auction next week.
Bonhams’ expands management team with new hire
14 October 2020Bonhams has hired Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard, a luxury and consumer goods specialist, to become non-executive chairman of the auction house.
Rare glazed 14th century tiles to be returned to Uzbekistan with help from the British Museum and UK Border Force
13 October 2020A collection of glazed tiles believed to be 14th century examples from a memorial complex near Samarkand are to be returned to Uzbekistan.
Christie’s takes third way on premium structure
12 October 2020Christie’s has changed its buyer’s premium levels this autumn – creating clear air between its fee structure and those used at Sotheby’s and Bonhams.
Aston’s premises go to ‘friendly rival’ as Special Auction Services expands into the Midlands
12 October 2020Special Auction Services is expanding into the West Midlands and has taken over the premises of toy and collectables specialist Aston’s Auctioneers & Valuers in Dudley.
The new Roo and the latest launches for dealer premises
12 October 2020With the UK still in the grip of the coronavirus pandemic, businesses continue to focus on online sales, but many antiques dealers also recognise the importance of physical premises. Here are five recent openings or expansions across the UK.