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.


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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Monk has a beer – no wonder he’s merry

07 August 2023

Stand-out original among the 76 pieces from Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson’s workshops offered at Tennants’ (22% buyer’s premium) 20th Century Design auction was a carved oak monk sold with its working drawing.

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Collector Interview: The very best of the vesta case world

17 July 2023

Businessman Nigel Ross runs a group of commercial property investment companies and divides his time between homes in England and Florida with business trips to New Zealand and elsewhere.

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Turn up the Deco volume with a classic radio

17 July 2023

Art Deco had a profound influence on all categories – not just art, sculpture or luxury furnishings but also on the design of more utilitarian items.

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Tempting machine that is full of socks appeal

10 July 2023

The Harrison semi-automatic pedestal knitting machine was designed c.1900 for producing rib socks.

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Condition gave a magic touch to comic

03 July 2023

A bound volume presenting the first seven issues of Magic Comic issued by DC Thomson in 1939 proved a highlight in a Comic Book Auctions (19% buyer’s premium) sale of June 4.

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Market fresh breeze blows through Scottish saleroom

12 June 2023

Trio of collections is offered in Perth auction with estimates pitched to entice bidders

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Davenport comes with a tuneful twist

12 June 2023

A musical ‘captain’s desk’ davenport sold for £9500 at Tennants’ (22% buyer’s premium) Scientific and Musical Instruments sale in Leyburn on May 17.

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