Latest News Articles by Tom Derbyshire
High quality from gunmaker to kings and a tsar
22 May 2026This bizarre beast of a gun is a William Smith of London 80 bore flintlock quadruple-barrelled volley pistol.
Captain Cook medal to go on display after selling at Tennants
15 May 2026A rare 18th century medal issued to commemorate the death of explorer James Cook is to become part of an exhibition marking the 300th anniversary of the explorer’s birth after being sold at auction.
Nelson’s final voyage in a replica Victory
15 May 2026While the Cheffins auction featured the original drawing for the Duke of Wellington’s funeral carriage (see main Art Market story in this edition), the funeral of another British hero of the Napoleonic wars was in the spotlight in a London sale.
Hornby trains building up a head of steam at auction
08 May 2026Prices for Hornby 0 Gauge clockwork railway toys have been rather flat for quite a few years now.
A trunk call for traditional cast lead and tinplate toys
08 May 2026From an elephant gun team to a double-decker and general on a hobby horse, good prices are still paid for collectable toys.
Answering the siren’s call: tinplate police car bid to five times estimate
08 May 2026Kosuge (Kosuge Toy Industrial Co Ltd), with the trademark KSG in a diamond, was Matsuzo Kosuge.
Vichy automaton bears fruit in the saleroom
08 May 2026Gustave Vichy was born in 1839 to a Parisian watch and clock maker Antoine Michel who, along with his wife, set up the Vichy company in 1862 with the aim of building and selling clocks, mechanical objects and toys.
Dressed to kilt, a £15,000 Highlander
08 May 2026The association of native American and Scottish Highlander advertising figures with tobacconists began in England and Holland in the 17th century and later spread to America.
Taken up a peg or two: early 19th century wooden doll makes a record
08 May 2026An early 19th century wooden peg doll featuring the original costume of a straw bonnet and cream silk dress with a mother of pearl belt, and red leather shoes, has sold for £3000 to a UK collector.
Scalextric Bugattis slot into the highest auction price bracket
08 May 2026Back in October 2024 Lewes saleroom Wallis & Wallis made what was thought to be a record price for Scalextric, taking £7750 for a C70 Type 59 Bugatti.
Dealer flags up a part of American history ahead of antiques fair
01 May 2026London dealer William Cook is marking the 250th anniversary of American independence by flying the flag at Petworth Park Antiques & Art Fair (running from May 8-10).
Souvenir poster celebrates proud 19th century Aussie pioneers of the cricket pitch
24 April 2026The first Australian sporting team to tour internationally included players Johnny Mullagh (traditional name Unaarrimin), Harry Bullocky (Bullchanach), Dick-a-Dick (Jungunjinanuke), Johnny Cuzens (Zellanach) and Twopenny (Murrumgunarriman).
Mollie of Sydenham became a valued member of Hartnell’s team making sumptuous royal fashion
17 April 2026Royal costumes and fashion have long been a source of fascination.
Véra Russell collection: A window into the world of art
17 April 2026Collection of gallery owner and exhibition organiser includes letters from the likes of Bacon and Hockney
‘Second Lady’ in style of Lely takes first place in price terms
10 April 2026Top-seller when a collection of antiques from the estate of a descendant of one of Britain’s longest-serving chancellors of the exchequer went to auction in the Cotswolds was an oil painting “in the manner of 17th century royal portraitist Peter Lely”.
