Latest News Articles by Tom Derbyshire
'Wish you were here' postcard sent from the doomed Titanic comes up at Warwick auction
23 June 2018The postcard message reads: “I wish you were here, it is a lovely boat & it would do you good. Am just going on deck.” Actually, this wouldn’t have done much good at all: the boat in question was the Titanic.
Howard Carter hits out at Curse of Tutankhamen in letters sold at Shropshire auction
20 June 2018The supposed Curse of Tutankhamen has somewhat overshadowed the astonishing discoveries of Howard Carter, the British archaeologist and Egyptologist.
Very rare 17th century English doll turns heads to sell for £9500 at North Yorkshire auction
08 June 2018Despite having lost a hand and suffering minor wear and chips to her chin, not to mention being just 5.5in (14cm) high, a doll caused a considerable stir at auction with six phone lines and internet bidders all desperate to succeed.
Movers and shakers: the latest arts and antiques appointments including TEFAF Maastricht's new chair of paintings
07 June 2018From TEFAF Maastricht and a new CEO at a US auction house to a Mod Brit specialist and a porter who used to take tea with John Major - another ATG round-up of the latest appointments.
Sir Alf Ramsey Collection at auction on same day England kick off World Cup 2018 campaign
06 June 2018It may amaze our many younger readers to learn that England once had a team capable of winning the World Cup. And did so.
Medals of the queen's private secretary who helped to bring in royal walkabouts come up at auction
05 June 2018The arrival of Meghan Markle into the royal family has highlighted the pressure on the monarchy to meet modern expectations, but it is not a new phenomenon. A medal group coming up at a London auction house Morton & Eden (M&E) on June 28 underlines the role of a man who once reportedly told the queen that: “Your job is to spread a carpet of happiness.”
Rare Dambusters Lancaster bomber flight trials certificate up at auction in North Yorkshire
04 June 2018The bravery of the Dambusters crews has been marked in this 75th anniversary year by a series of events and at North Yorkshire auction house Tennants this month you have the chance to bid for a rare bit of memorabilia.
Pick of the Week: ‘Record’ skirt lifter rises to the occasion
04 June 2018Searching online for the term ‘skirt lifter’ is probably unwise in the public domain, but an intriguing item sold at Graham Budd’s latest auction shows it is a popular collecting field.
Emu bought by Hacker the Dog puppeteer to sit alongside George the pink hippo
31 May 2018You can sleep easily now – we can announce that Emu, of Rod Hull and Emu fame – has found a very appropriate new home after being successfully sold at auction.
Barometer and dinner plate from the heroic age of polar exploration up at auction
30 May 2018When ‘collecting fields’ are talked about it can mean certain eras rather than just ceramics, glass or silver for example. The ‘heroic age of polar exploration’ is a classic example.
DNW recruits form banknote department
28 May 2018London auction house Dix Noonan Webb is launching a stand-alone banknotes department and expanding into the next-door premises.
Whole historic aircraft hangar with flight pioneer Avro connection sells in Gloucestershire auction
25 May 2018It is not every day that an auctioneer sells an aircraft hangar. Especially not one which plays such a fascinating part in aviation history as the structure offered by Gloucestershire saleroom Dominic Winter.
Movers and shakers: latest auction house appointments including Phillips' expansion of US jewellery team
24 May 2018Fresh faces at UK and New York salerooms.
Matt Busby first Manchester United contract acquired by the club for Old Trafford museum
23 May 2018Sir Matt Busby’s first contract as Manchester United manager will be going on display at the club’s Old Trafford museum after a deal was agreed as it was about to be auctioned.
Why Lord Byron may have been mad and bad but is great news for auction houses
21 May 2018Lord Byron was described as ‘mad, bad and dangerous to know’ but items connected to the poet and general hellraiser make very welcome consignments for auction houses given the appeal of his name.
More affordable Rockefeller options in Connecticut
21 May 2018The David and Peggy Rockefeller auction at Christie’s New York earlier this month was significant as a new high for a single-owner sale, with a series of noteworthy results such as a $102m (£75m) Picasso.
Cannon of Mutiny on the Bounty fame to be offered in Scottish auction
18 May 2018The windswept shore of south-west Scotland is a long way from Pitcairn Island, but a cannon coming up for auction at a Dumfries saleroom links the far-flung locations and a famous mutiny.
Auction house movers and shakers: Dix Noonan Webb, Clevedon Salerooms, Christie's and Litchfield County
16 May 2018Latest saleroom moves, including appointments at Dix Noonan Webb and Clevedon Salerooms.
Recreate seminal chatshow moment with Rod Hull and Emu puppet coming up in Wiltshire auction
15 May 2018Chatshow host Michael Parkinson had a glittering TV career. However, he was quick to acknowledge: “The only thing I’m ever remembered for is being attacked by that bloody bird.”
Straw blimey: the Sworders view over a decade
14 May 2018Buildings constructed out of straw bales sound more like the world of Channel 4’s Grand Designs rather than the often solidly traditional realm of art and antiques auctioneers.