Latest News Articles by Laura Chesters
Patrick Drahi: telecom magnate and a man of the world
24 June 2019The 55-year-old media and telecoms entrepreneur and enthusiastic art collector Patrick Drahi has made an offer to buy Sotheby's via his BidFair USA company in a $3.7bn deal.
Going, going, private… Sotheby’s could compete on level terms with Christie’s – once it quits stock exchange
24 June 2019Art market insiders are expecting a dramatic change in the dynamic at the top end of the sector if a remarkable $3.7bn bid to buy Sotheby’s completes this year.
Stanley Gibbons Group says Mallett claim now resolved
24 June 2019Stamp and coin dealership Stanley Gibbons Group is due to receive £850,000 to resolve “all outstanding claims involving certain former directors of Mallett”, it announced on June 14.
Five lots to watch at auction this week including an Italian Art Nouveau cabinet, a Minton tortoise teapot and a signed Harry Potter book
24 June 2019With estimates from £50-12,000, here are five previews from upcoming sales this week.
Moving stories
24 June 2019Whether it’s delivering a 12ft long model ship or taking a dining table from Paris to London, getting a prized item from A to B safely is vital. We also report on latest developments in art insurance.
Art and antiques study bursaries launched at West Dean College and Christie’s Education
21 June 2019West Dean College of Arts and Conservation has launched a new horology bursary of up to £20,000.
Tennants hires new director, Gurr Johns appoints former Christie’s man and Bonhams promotes Contemporary art specialist – the latest Movers and Shakers
20 June 2019A selection of appointments across the art and antiques market.
Signed Harry Potter book comes to auction in County Durham
19 June 2019A signed hardback copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, plus other associated memorabilia, will be offered at Vectis Auctions in Stockton-on-Tees.
Record-breaking Martin Brothers grinning crab barred from export
18 June 2019A ‘colossal and extraordinary grotesque grinning crab’ by the Martin Brothers that sold at auction last year has been temporarily barred from export from the UK.
Sotheby's sold to media entrepreneur and art collector Patrick Drahi in $3.7bn deal
17 June 2019Sotheby’s has been sold to BidFair USA, a company owned by media and telecom entrepreneur and art collector Patrick Drahi.
Leonard Cohen's love letters to muse Marianne sell for five times estimate at Christie’s auction
17 June 2019Letters from Canadian poet, singer-songwriter and novelist Leonard Cohen to his muse Marianne Ihlen have sold for a total $700,800 ($876,000 including buyer’s premium).
Burne-Jones sketches head to Delaware museum via Cambridge
17 June 2019Two studies by Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones for his 1868 oil Hymenaeus will soon be reunited with the finished painting.
Antique silk top hats in demand ahead of Royal Ascot racing events
14 June 2019Retailer Oliver Brown has reported a boost in the sale of antique silk top hats ahead of Royal Ascot next week.
Only Fools and Horses millionaire cheque sold for £9100 at Bristol auction
14 June 2019The £6.2m cheque that finally made the Trotter brothers millionaires was hammered down at £9100 (plus 18% buyer’s premium) at auction in Bristol.
Who will pick Concorde’s nose? Nose cone from supersonic plane comes to auction
14 June 2019A nose cone from the supersonic Concorde plane is coming to auction in Northamptonshire.
Design specialists Rago and Wright merge, Hansons promotes book specialist and Phillips hires US lawyer – the latest Movers and Shakers
13 June 2019A selection of appointments across the art and antiques market.
Gun found in a field where artist van Gogh shot himself to be sold in Paris
13 June 2019Vincent van Gogh died from a gunshot wound in the summer of 1890 in Auvers-sur-Oise in the south of France.
First original cover art of Tintin sells at US auction for more than $1m
11 June 2019The very first original cover art featuring comic character Tintin has sold at auction in the US for a premium inclusive $1.125m.
Coin from reign of Allectus found in field makes house record at Dix Noonan Webb
10 June 2019A rare Roman gold aureus, found by a metal detectorist in a field in Kent earlier this year, was hammered down at Dix Noonan Webb last week for a house record £460,000.
‘New addition’ to the Lewis chessmen
10 June 2019Sotheby’s believes it has found a missing piece from the Lewis chessmen hoard – the cache of 12th or 13th century walrus ivory carvings that chiefly resides in the British Museum.