Latest News Articles by Tom Derbyshire
Oops: the Star Wars and Friends scripts left behind when the stars moved on
21 February 2024Film and TV stars must be a forgetful bunch, if lots sold at two recent UK auctions are anything to go by.
Fascinating backstory of Mouseman furniture owned by same family since new comes to light
19 February 2024Mouseman furniture is a hugely popular if not exactly uncommon sight at auction but it is not so often you see a group with a backstory as comprehensive as that coming up at a Buckinghamshire saleroom.
An Art Nouveau ring by Henri Dubret is among five lots to watch
19 February 2024With estimates from £400, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week.
Auction magic from a very different Potter
19 February 2024Richard Potter (1783-1835) is considered the first successful stage magician born in the US and African-American celebrity.
Medals of SAS hero who fought alongside the legendary Paddy Mayne in a 'suicidal' rescue mission make £41,000
13 February 2024Renowned SAS commander 'Paddy' Mayne was so courageous (and hard as nails) he won not one but four Distinguished Service Order awards during the Second World War.
Rediscovered society portrait is among five lots to watch
12 February 2024With estimates from £200, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week.
Fantasy mag key to creating Games Workshop empire
12 February 2024Once considered to be the refuge of geeky teenagers, fantasy and sci-fi role playing and tabletop gaming is now hugely popular, with various celebs keen to proclaim their passion for all things orc and elf.
False teeth that allowed Churchill to make his famous speeches sell for £18,000 at auction
08 February 2024Sir Winston’s Churchill’s false teeth have been snapped up for a hammer price of £18,000 (plus 24% buyer’s premium) after a nail-biting bidding battle attracted would-be buyers from the UK and US.
Props from Netflix’s The Crown are among five lots to watch
05 February 2024With estimates from £3000, here are five previews of upcoming items.
Comics make heroic prices in a super sell-out US auction
05 February 2024Heritage Auctions’ 1170-lot Comics & Comic Art sale held on January 11-14 delivered a white-glove result.
Betjeman: the personal connection
05 February 2024Gifts given by the late Poet Laureate to his friend show how interesting items can be bought for three figures
Mark Knopfler's Gibson guitar and pair of torchère figures are among five lots to watch
29 January 2024With estimates from £200, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week.
Fleas dressed to impress by money-making nuns
29 January 2024Flea circuses are well known but Mexican dressed fleas will probably come as more of a surprise.
Flea market? Flea circus? Fleas at auction this time, dressed for the occasion
24 January 2024Mexican dressed fleas were made originally by nuns probably a way of subsidising the income of a convent
Medal given to 'Taffy' after audacious Operation Jaywick mission to sink Japanese ships in the Second World War takes £120,000
23 January 2024A medal awarded secretly following Operation Jaywick, one of the most daring raids of the Second World War, has sold for a hammer price of £120,000 in a London auction.
A Scottish Wemyss Ware vase from a prolific collector is among five lots to watch
22 January 2024With estimates from £300, here are five previews of items coming up this week.