Sporting Memorabilia & Equipment

This sector of the art and antiques market often generates big headlines in the general media – not least when an auction record for 1966 World Cup is set for example. But the market is extremely wide and varied. Here there really is something for everyone at every price level, whether a buyer focuses on football programmes, historic golf clubs or fishing tackle.


Robin Williams

Art and memorabilia collection of US comedian and actor Robin Williams to be auctioned at Sotheby’s

07 September 2018

More than 300 objects from the personal collection of the late actor Robin Williams (1951-2014) and his wife Marsha will be offered at auction in New York.

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Cricketers bowl up at Aussie sale

13 August 2018

The strong suit in the extensive cricket section of Abacus Auctions’ (18% buyer’s premium) Sporting Memorabilia sale in Melbourne on July 22 proved to be a collection of early 20th century autographed real photo postcards of test cricketers that were offered individually.

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Golfing memorabilia dealers get into the swing of things

06 August 2018

The set of flicker books published c.1930 titled 'Drive and Mashie', 'Brassie and Iron' and 'Out the Rough and Putt', were once used as teaching aids for golfers.

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Memorabilia from the year the Football League was first formed lines up at auction

31 July 2018

As the 2018-19 English football season prepares to kick off, an auction lot on offer in Derbyshire harks back to the very earliest days of the game in its organised form.

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Early club from a cellar in Fife becomes £26,000 seller in Lewes

02 July 2018

This hitherto unknown iron – part of select group of perhaps a dozen very early golf clubs from the late 17th or early 18th century – emerged at Gorringe’s in Lewes on June 26.

Boris Becker

Boris Becker memorabilia auction postponed as tennis star claims diplomatic immunity

28 June 2018

The online auction of sporting memorabilia seized from bankrupt tennis star Boris Becker has been postponed. It follows Becker’s claim of diplomatic immunity as a sports attaché for an African state.

Boris Becker’s collection

Boris Becker’s collection seized following bankruptcy now offered in online auction

07 June 2018

An auction of tennis legend Boris Becker’s collection of memorabilia is taking place as a timed online sale that runs until June 28.

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Sir Alf Ramsey Collection at auction on same day England kick off World Cup 2018 campaign

06 June 2018

It may amaze our many younger readers to learn that England once had a team capable of winning the World Cup. And did so.

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Matt Busby first Manchester United contract acquired by the club for Old Trafford museum

23 May 2018

Sir 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.

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Medals recall striking talent of ‘Bomber’

14 May 2018

The footballing power of mighty George Brown led to his nickname of ‘Bomber’ decades before the title went to Gerd Müller. Brown’s glory days were with Huddersfield Town FC, a power in the land 90 years ago.

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Fishing at a perilous angle

07 May 2018

Taken in June 1905 on the River Helmsdale in Sutherland, the very northern and wildest tip of Scotland, is this image, below, of two men fishing.

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Busby contract demands the beautiful game

30 April 2018

Manchester United fans grumbling about the current style of play will be interested to learn that when Matt Busby joined as manager he was contractually obliged to play entertaining football.

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Matt Busby first Manchester United contract up at auction demands attractive football style

26 April 2018

Forget Jose Mourinho being criticised for a stultifying style of play at Manchester United – when Matt Busby started as manager of the Red Devils he was contractually obliged to play entertaining football.

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Spink specialist takes role as Lord Ashcroft’s medals curator

23 April 2018

Spink medals specialist David Erskine-Hill is leaving to take over as Lord Ashcroft’s medals curator on the retirement of Michael Naxton.

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Huddersfield Town and Manchester United football legends remembered in auction lots

17 April 2018

What do Denis Law and George ‘Bomber’ Brown have in common? The answer is Huddersfield Town, whose miraculous survival in the Premier League seems to have been confirmed after beating Watford 1-0 in the latest round of games.

real tennis rackets

Anyone for real tennis – early 19th century rackets take £13,000 at Sworders

19 March 2018

An unexpected highlight of a recent sale at Sworders in Stansted Mountfitchet was this set of four early real tennis rackets. They came from a client in the North of England and had been owned by the family for many years.

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Buyers hooked by classic salmon lures

26 February 2018

Skilfully designed to catch salmon, fishing flies and lures hooked enthusiasts at Shropshire sporting specialist Mullock’s (20% buyer’s premium) fishing sale which included the work of two great names in the angling lexicon.

Insolvency

Insolvency Service investigation leads to disqualification of Football Sport Auctions director

22 February 2018

Football Sport Auctions (FSA) director Andrew John Lane has been disqualified from being a company director for 10 years following the liquidation of the company in April 2016.

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Liverpool FC memorabilia from old Main Stand at Anfield ready to score at auction

08 February 2018

Liverpool FC supporters are being given the opportunity to own a piece of Reds’ history in a special memorabilia auction being held at Anfield.

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Football programmes at auction recall when Wolves were champions of the world and inspired European Cup

01 February 2018

Wolves may now be flying high at the top of the Championship after decades of underachievement but nearly 70 years ago they were soaring to European heights, as football programmes up at auction demonstrate.

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