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.

Books and works on paper auction calendar, September 17-October 3, 2024

16 September 2024

Our regular listing of UK and Irish books and works on paper sales

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Military policeman who risked his life in blaze rescue attempt received the Albert Medal

16 September 2024

Lance Corporal James Smith of the Military Mounted Police, formerly of the Northumberland Fusiliers, survived the First World War but it was a moment of danger after the conflict that earned him a special honour.

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Desirable RAF lots coming up include a Battle of Britain golden ‘oldie’ and a Dambuster

16 September 2024

In November, Spink of London will offer a Spitfire pilot’s Battle of Britain group of eight awarded to Warrant Officer (later Squadron Leader) Ernest Mayne, No 74 (Tiger) Squadron, RAF.

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Film reels help to reveal story of a brigadier who came up with the name of the Special Air Service

16 September 2024

A collection of cinefilms belonging to Brigadier Dudley Clarke (1899-1974), a key figure behind British military deception operations during the Second World War, was sold by Chiswick Auctions (26% buyer’s premium) on August 7.

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Coins: Numismatics trade looks ahead to flagship London fair

16 September 2024

Coinex, the most important event on the British calendar for many serious coin collectors, opens at the Biltmore Hotel in Mayfair on September 27-28.

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Unusual militaria lot was tailor made for a museum purchase

16 September 2024

A one-off find in the shape of a military tailor’s pattern book from 1895 has been bought by the National Army Museum (NAM).

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Disappearing American tribes brought alive thanks to Thomas McKenney

16 September 2024

Copy of well-known enlightened work featuring portraits and biographies comes to London saleroom

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Five questions with book dealer Oliver Bayliss

16 September 2024

Oliver Bayliss is the proprietor of Bayliss Rare Books and tells ATG about paying attention to detail and a rare militaria find.

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Classic British colonial pith helmet heads to a top sum as part of extensive Scottish collection

16 September 2024

Edinburgh auction includes possible record for the design achieved by an example worn by a member of the Kings Own Scottish Borderers

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Douglas Anderson's huge private collection of Scottish militaria comes to auction

16 September 2024

Anderson & Garland (25% buyer’s premium) of Newcastle upon Tyne offered the private collection of militaria and weapons belonging to Douglas Napier Anderson (b.1927).

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Recruiting drive: First World War poster collection up for grabs

16 September 2024

Specialist auction house Onslows’ November 29 auction includes a rare group of British and Irish recruiting posters form the First World War and a near-complete set of the Parliamentary Recruiting posters.

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Nameplate sale shows how a Sherman tank called Michael spearheaded Allied success

16 September 2024

Along with the Soviet T34, the Sherman was regarded as one of the best all-round tanks of the Second World War.

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Single-owner collection of biscuit tins gets novelty treatment at McTear’s

16 September 2024

Barrie Lewis, a Midlands wholesaler of cakes, biscuits and confectionery, began collecting old biscuit tins after he received one as a birthday gift in the early 1980s.

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Groundbreaking and influential works uncover Yorkshire geology

16 September 2024

The most eagerly contested lot of the Books, Maps and Manuscripts Sale at Tennants (24% buyer’s premium) on August 23 was one comprising two volumes containing influential works on geology and palaeontology by John Phillips (1800-74) and William Buckland (1784-1856).

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Bomb disposal bravery award recognises an unsung hero of the Falklands War

16 September 2024

Wars are full of renowned acts of bravery in the face of the enemy but medals also salute the feats of many unsung military heroes who often go under the radar in recognition terms.

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Roll map shows the very narrow road to Durham

16 September 2024

Pictured here is a detail from an 18th century parchment roll map documenting the primary roads on a journey from London to Durham through the counties of Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire and Durham.

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Militaria news in brief: eye catching results

16 September 2024

A look at unusual lots that stood out in recent auctions

1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider

Christie's buys US classic car auction house Goodings

13 September 2024

Christie’s is to return to the classic car market following an agreement to acquire Gooding & Company.

Polydore Vergil’s Anglica Historia

Hand-drawn maps lift demand for Mary Tudor’s personal copy of Anglica Historia

12 September 2024

Mary Tudor’s personal copy of Vergil’s history of England has sold at auction for £140,000.

Cray-1 Supercomputer

Auction record for any computer as Paul Allen’s Cray-1 sells at Christie’s

11 September 2024

A Cray-1 Supercomputer owned by the late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen set a new high for any computer sold at auction when it took $810,000 (£618,320) at Christie’s New York.

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