Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
Nelson's Worcester teapot brings £42,000
26 April 2024The so-called Horatia service – named after the daughter of Nelson and Lady Emma Hamilton – is among the best documented commissions from the Chamberlain’s factory.
Portrait of short-lived Tudor monarch Edward VI comes to LA auction
23 April 2024A portrait of Edward VI, the Tudor monarch who reigned as a boy for just six years from 1547-53, comes for sale at Andrew Jones Auctions in Los Angeles.
A gift from Emma Hamilton to Nelson is among six lots to watch
22 April 2024With estimates from £600, here are six previews of lots coming up at auction this week.
Spink sells Coins of England reference book to Sovereign Rarities
22 April 2024The industry-standard reference book for British coins has been sold by Spink to fellow London numismatic dealership and auction house Sovereign Rarities.
Collectors respond to call for earliest phone bidding at Massachusetts auction
22 April 2024Relics from the dawn of the electro-magnetic telephone created a sensation when they appeared for sale in Massachusetts.
Blancpain watch bought in 1957 surfaces at auction
22 April 2024The Fifty Fathoms diving watch was born in the 1950s from the encounter between the Swiss firm Blancpain and the French Ministry of Defence.
Kidder the cookery school pioneer comes up at auction
22 April 2024Sought-after book of recipes including a puff-pastry print first was intended for the use of his pupils
Wonders produced worldwide in a west London silver sale focus
22 April 2024London auction shows the collecting appeal and opportunities for silver produced beyond Europe
Merkle's Meissen figures show strength in Paris
18 April 2024The first part of one of the finest assemblages of 18th century Meissen porcelain figures still in private hands generated a premium-inclusive €948,450 at Bonhams in Paris on April 17.
Artist Prunella Clough’s gifts to dealer Christopher Bangs emerge at Essex auction
17 April 2024A cache of original works by Prunella Clough (1919-99) came for sale at Sworders’ latest Modern and Contemporary Art sale.
Rediscovered Benjamin Franklin portrait emerges in Italy and comes to US auction
15 April 2024A previously unrecorded portrait of Benjamin Franklin comes for sale at Freeman’s Hindman with a guide of $50,000-80,000 this month.
Pick of the week: Discoverer of Franklin’s fate
15 April 2024The commercial fortunes of a 19th century map of the Arctic offered at Cheffins (25% buyer’s premium) this month were boosted greatly by its annotations.
A breakfront cabinet by George Bullock is among seven lots to watch
15 April 2024With estimates from £200, here are seven previews of items coming up at auction this week.
Original phrenology models turn heads at auction
15 April 2024Ceramic phrenology heads have become ubiquitous following numerous reproductions. However, original 19th century models are much harder to come by.
Highest price paid for not doing your duty
15 April 2024Dating from March 1-October 13, 1748, a journal for sale at London maritime specialist Charles Miller’s auction on April 23 was written by Admiral John Byng (1704-57) during the final negotiations of the failed Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle and some eight years before his infamous actions off the coast of Minorca.
Photographic viewing device can operate all day and night
15 April 2024The invention of the megalethoscope by the Swiss-Italian optician and photographer Carlo Ponti greatly enhanced the experience of viewing photographs.
Rare British camera emerges from Viennese source
15 April 2024Austin Farahar, head of cameras and photography at Chiswick Auctions (25% buyer’s premium), was recently contacted by a budding documentary photographer in Vienna who had received a collection of old cameras from his in-laws.
Goniometer going, going, gone at £2700
15 April 2024This Victorian lacquered brass device made by Elliot Brothers of London is a reflecting goniometer.