Latest News Articles by Tom Derbyshire
That’s the way to do it if you buy Punch and Judy at auction
05 December 2022Punch and Judy shows in Britain date back to as early as 1662 – recorded by Pepys – with origins in the charismatic 16th century Italian puppet Pulcinella.
A Catherine the Great seal found in a biscuit tin is among five lots to watch
05 December 2022With estimates from £800-30,000, here are five previews of items coming at auction this week.
Young Victoria, the doll version
05 December 2022Lucy Peck ran The Dolls’ Home, a successful business that opened in Regent Street in London in 1893.
Previews: issue 2571
05 December 2022A selection of 16 upcoming lots from auctions taking place around the UK.
Toys and collectables: Renowned enthusiast's collection causes a stir at Cheshire saleroom
05 December 2022Such was the renown of toy collector the late Jack Tempest that when his collection came up for auction many of the bidders who flocked to the sale on November 10 recognised a lot of the items on offer.
Lesser-known manufacturers play their part in the toy market
05 December 2022Forget names such as Palitoy, Britains, Dinky, Sindy, Bing and Marklin for a moment – recent auctions have shown the demand that can exist for lesser-known manufacturers and brands in the toys world.
“We had lots of interest – he had everything going for him": Early Steiff teddy put in the picture
05 December 2022This wonderful photo taken in 1914 shows the Coghill family plus a rather hairy friend: a rare large Steiff centre-seam teddy bear c.1906.
Action stations for a three-day auction
05 December 2022Over the course of 35 years Andy Houldsworth amassed one of the largest collections of Action Man and similar action figures in the UK.
Prices by the power of Grayskull
05 December 2022In 1981 the most powerful man in the universe, He-Man, began his fight against the evil Skeletor to save the planet of Eternia and protect Castle Grayskull.
Holy automatons, Batman – it’s a Japanese robot!
05 December 2022Nomura was one of the biggest Japanese toy makers post-war and is now particularly renowned among collectors for mechanical toys such as robots.
Japanese robot is a diamond pleaser
05 December 2022Shown here is one of ‘very few known’ examples of Yonezawa’s c.1962 Diamond Planet Robot – the largest tin windup robot produced, 10in (24.5cm) high.
Super four figures for a space car
05 December 2022This Japanese ‘Super Car’ tinplate vehicle is an unlicensed model, probably based on the Supercar vehicle from Gerry Anderson’s 1960s UK television series.
The fashion doll before Barbie courtesy of Madame Alexander
05 December 2022Bertha Alexander Behrman – aka Madame Alexander – was probably destined to be a doll maker.
Elizabeth Gage earrings and a Gillray cartoon are among five lots to watch
28 November 2022With estimates from £600, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week.
High-tech early breech loaders broke new ground
28 November 2022At first glance this early 18th century British-made sporting flintlock is nothing particularly out of the ordinary, despite being impressively engraved and relief carved.
Abijah’s powder horn shows Ranger value
28 November 2022A ‘Siege of Louisbourg’ powder horn belonging to one Ranger Abijah Smith sold for $17,500 (£15,200) at Bonhams Skinner in an auction on September 28 in Massachusetts.
British pistols owned by American patriot
28 November 2022A pair of ornate presentation flintlock pistols made in London and later owned by an American patriot sold for $55,000 (£46,200) at a US saleroom.
Previews: issue 2570
28 November 2022A selection of 14 upcoming lots from auctions taking place around the UK.
‘The Day the Music Died’ poster sets auction record
21 November 2022The only known poster from ‘The Day the Music Died’ became the most expensive concert poster when it sold for a premium inclusive $447,000 ($379,500) at Heritage Auctions of Dallas on November 11.
Magic posters from the estate of Paul Daniels are among five lots to watch
21 November 2022With estimates from £700, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week.