Collectables

The Van Blarenberghes were a dynasty of artists from Lille in northern France.

The two images of 1907-08 shown here are from a group of nine postcards relating to Crystal Palace FC that were given a modest estimate of £50-80 in the Paper Collectables sale at Toovey’s (25% buyer’s premium) on May 20.

An original piece of Astérix cover art painted by Albert Uderzo (1927-2020) sold for an $360,000 (£267,000) at Heritage Auctions (25% buyer’s premium) in Dallas, Texas.

A British ‘Dandy Horse’ bicycle made c.1819 was the earliest among a group of four rare 19th century examples on offer at Lewes saleroom Gorringe’s.

Among the highlights of the Fine Jewellery sale at Adam’s in Dublin on May 12 was this remarkable Louis XV hardstone, gold and gemset cane handle.

London 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).

Cathedrals, palaces and abbeys were also among the sights featured as British tourism developed

Flightless bird walks away with a new owner as silver novelty rarities catch the eye at Kinghams

A Queen Anne olivewood oyster, holly and walnut cabinet on stand offered by Dreweatts (27/26% buyer’s premium) in Newbury was among a number of lots sold recently showing the commercial boost that royal provenance can provide.

Lake District cabinetmaker and woodcarver Ernest John Oldcorn trained at Gillows of Lancaster but he found his niche after joining the Arthur W Simpson workshop.

This Georgian treen tobacco stopper or pipe tamper sold for £2900 at Hartleys in Ilkley, West Yorkshire.

An extensive collection of automobilia housed in not one but two Cambridgeshire barns included an eye-catching example of the most sought-after British enamel signs.

An archive of over 90,000 comic books amassed over five decades by an “eccentric collector and publisher” and unearthed in a Stockholm basement is being sold via a series of auctions held by Stanley Gibbons Baldwin’s (SGB).

North East Museums (NEM) has announced it is “submitting a serious expression of interest” to acquire a Union Flag that was flown from HMS Royal Sovereign, flagship of Vice-Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood at the Battle of Trafalgar on October 21, 1805.

Ahead of a major two-day postcard collector festival, a dealer explains the draw of the most popular types

A Mouseman single wardrobe with panelled adzed decoration sold for £7400 against a guide of £4000-6000 at Summersgills (18% buyer’s premium) in Easingwold, North Yorkshire.

French inventor Charles-Émile Reynaud (1844-1918) was responsible for the first projected animated films.

All of the first half-a-dozen issues of Viz comic are rarities – each penned by teenager Chris Donald from his bedroom in his parents’ Jesmond, Newcastle, home with help from his brother Simon and friend Jim Brownlow.

What is being promoted as “perhaps the most significant private collection of British comics ever assembled” is coming to market with two separate auction houses involved.