Latest News Articles by Sheila Gibson Stoodley
Inscribed by Nietzsche to his close friend
05 June 2026An “exceedingly uncommon” signed and inscribed photograph of the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) earned top-lot honours in an Autographs sale held at Swann.
Doubled Darwin print run reaped the rewards
05 June 2026Book owner’s son realised the impact this landmark work would have
Houdini challenge accepted
29 May 2026Part of the legend of escapologist Harry Houdini (1874-1926) rests on the hundreds of ‘challenges’ he accepted from manufacturers of packing cases, boxes, handcuffs and the like.
Not to be sneezed at: 1776 hankie bought by US museum
29 May 2026A handkerchief made in early 19th century Scotland celebrating the 1776 Declaration of Independence and featuring portraits of George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson hammered for $55,000 (£40,425) at Eldred’s (26% buyer’s premium).
Original Asterix cover art earns its laurels
29 May 2026An original piece of Astérix cover art painted by Albert Uderzo (1927-2020) sold for an $360,000 (£267,000) at Heritage Auctions (25% buyer’s premium) in Dallas, Texas.
Author’s powers of Persuasion
29 May 2026Two-in-one edition of the first and last Jane Austen novels had sat undisturbed in a hallway for over 50 years
Giambologna cast emerges at California auction
22 May 2026An undated cast of Giambologna’s Allegory of Astronomy hammered for a remarkable $500,000 (£367,325) at San Rafael Auction Gallery in California.
Silver linings as Sir Robert Walpole’s first seal salver sells at $190,000
15 May 2026Sir Robert Walpole’s first seal salver re-emerged from a century in a US private collection to sell for a hammer price of $190,000 (£140,500) in New York.
De László portraits rediscovered in North Carolina auction
01 May 2026Two pictures relating to the family of former US president George HW Bush added to catalogue raisonné
‘Try to find another one that’s not in a museum’
01 May 2026This Flemish Baroque carved ebony table cabinet shown below opens to reveal intricate silk needlework images of flowers to the inside of its three doors.
Big bucks for British documents as James I royal warrant and Trafalgar order of battle emerge
01 May 2026Two choice British documents emerged across two different sales at Amherst, New Hampshire firm RR Auction (25% buyer’s premium).
Ignatius Sancho second edition sells in New York
01 May 2026Letters of the Late Ignatius Sancho, an African, tells the remarkable story of an African born on a British slave ship who earned a place among the London elite.
Dublin-made Egyptian revival mirror brings competition between 16 bidders
01 May 2026An Irish Regency overmantel mirror in Egyptian Revival style by the Dublin artisan Joshua Kearney (1797-1849) hammered for $22,000 (£16,400) against a $6000-8000 guide at Andrew Jones Auctions (25% buyer’s premium) in Los Angeles.
Buyer splashes out on British wine and water ewers connected to American high society
01 May 2026A pair of Edwardian wine and water ewers by London silversmith Sydney Bellamy Harman, 1910, tied for the most-expensive lot at a recent Doyle (28% buyer’s premium) auction.
Get your claws into Supersol
01 May 2026A rare vinyl and rubber Supersol monster toy seized top-lot status with its vivid blue-green vinyl claws at a recent sale at Landry Pop Auctions (22% buyer’s premium) in Lambertville, New Jersey.
Gallé sideboard ripe for a new owner
01 May 2026According to the lot notes, 11 wood veneers from Macassar ebony to burr maple were used in making the c.1903 Émile Gallé Épis de Blé sideboard.
Walpole’s first ‘seal’ salver found in New York comes to auction
17 April 2026An historic piece of Georgian silver – the ‘pair’ to the famed Walpole ‘seal salver’ in the Victoria & Albert Museum – is being offered for sale following its recent rediscovery in New York.
Hemingway’s fishing flag of triumph reels in $170,000
10 April 2026The legend of author Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961) is forever linked with sport fishing.
The trick is to keep it original when it comes to magical content
10 April 2026Magic books library reflects obsession of collector who prized exceptionally clean examples
Ehret record price grows as magnolia blossoms in the US
10 April 2026An original Georg Dionysius Ehret illustration of a magnolia blossom hammered for $330,000 (£242,000) at Arader Galleries (20% buyer’s premium) on February 7 in New York.