Collectables

The term ‘collectables’ (or collectibles) encompasses a vast range of items in fields as diverse as arms, armour and militaria, bank notes, cameras, coins, entertainment and sporting memorabilia, stamps, taxidermy, wines and writing equipment.

Some collectables are antiques, others are classed as retro, vintage or curios but all are of value to the collector. In any of these fields, buyers seek out rarities and items with specific associations.


Miner's lamp

Pick of the week: Biram’s safety lamp shines at auction

30 October 2023

Lot 57 at Sutton Hill Farm Country Auctions on October 21 comprised ‘2 framed paintings, signed J Cole, one other’, taking a hammer price of £8. Lot 59, a ‘vintage Sesame Street Big Bird piano toy’ (in working order) made it into double figures, at £14.

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Collector interview: father’s fans are on view to all

23 October 2023

Korean businessman Dr Hahn Kwang-ho CBE (1923-2014) was a well-known philanthropist and collector

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Condition proves crucial to Hulk No 1

16 October 2023

Grey rather than green for his debut, the Incredible Hulk made his first appearance in 1962 and continues to enthral comic collectors.

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Club that keeps the flame alive

16 October 2023

Lighter Club of Great Britain holds fair open to both members and non-members

Andrew Morris

Father’s enthusiasm sealed the deal when it came to my passion

09 October 2023

Andrew Morris inherited the collecting bug from his father, David Morris.

Hunger strike medal

Museum buys Suffragette hunger strike medal after successful fundraising campaign

04 October 2023

Glasgow Women’s Library has bought a hunger strike medal at auction at Bonhams after more than 500 people donated to help secure the piece of suffragette history.

Declaration and seal

Ivory seal deemed to be of ‘outstanding’ value comes to Cirencester auction

02 October 2023

The sale at Moore Allen & Innocent on October 11-12 includes a series of personal items relating to William Duke of Clarence, later William IV (1765-1837).

Lyme Regis station target sign

Pick of the week: Railway station sign steams well above the target

02 October 2023

When it comes to the value of classic railway station signs, key factors include: is the site now disused? Was it from a holiday resort? Is it an early design?

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Lighters ignite interest in classic Dunhill design

02 October 2023

In the wake of an auction record for an ‘aquarium’ lighter at Chiswick Auctions (25/12% buyer’s premium), six more of the classic Dunhill accessories lit up the saleroom.

Meerschaum pipe

Pipe dream reality: meerschaum magnificence

25 September 2023

An elaborate Victorian meerschaum pipe stood out at a recent Surrey sale.

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An auction format that proved to be the right time, right place

18 September 2023

Specialist Bleasdale says his sewing antiques and Tunbridgeware timed online sales are working out well

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Shell out for ornamental combs

18 September 2023

Massive ornamental hair combs such as this are associated with the East Sumbanese people of modern Indonesia.

Dunhill 'Aviary' lighter

Rare Dunhill ‘Aviary’ lighter stars in our pick of five auction highlights

08 September 2023

ATG’s weekly selection of items that caught bidders’ eyes includes a Dunhill lighter with a rare intaglio of a woodpecker that sold at Chiswick Auctions.

Franklin daguerreotypes

Rediscovered images of the crew of Franklin's lost expedition come to auction next month

29 August 2023

Rare daguerreotype photographs of Sir John Franklin and his fellow senior officers of the ill-fated HMS Erebus and Terror have been rediscovered and will be offered at auction by Sotheby’s.

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Snuff bottle takes 31 times low estimate

21 August 2023

A recent Devin Moisan (25% buyer’s premium) sale was topped by a 1974 Chinese snuff bottle decorated by Wang-Hsi (Xisan).

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Robert E Lee button bonanza

21 August 2023

Defeated Confederate general gave out uniform items as gifts until the government cracked down

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Collector Interview: Striking examples of miniature art

21 August 2023

Aaron Kasmin, a British artist, became fascinated by US feature matchbooks.

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Ditko’s personal Spidey spins a premium

21 August 2023

The name Steve Ditko (1927-2018) scarcely needs an introduction to comic collectors.

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Postcard flies into postal history with first airmail

14 August 2023

A postcard carried on the world’s first official airmail flight came up for auction in Staffordshire.

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Early Commando comics stir the blood of collectors

14 August 2023

Firmly in the British jingoistic ‘boy’s own’ tradition, a collection of Commando comic books turned heads when offered at Stourbridge saleroom Fieldings last year (see ATG No 2556).

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