Latest News Articles by Tom Derbyshire
Classic Kemp-Welch artwork reunited with its preliminary sketches after museum’s purchase
23 September 2024A landmark painting by renowned equine artist Lucy Kemp-Welch (1869-1958) has been reunited with the sketches she made to create the work thanks to a museum purchase from a dealer.
First Fantastic Four in super condition becomes the second most valuable Silver Age comic
18 September 2024One of only two copies of 1961’s Fantastic Four No 1 comic to be awarded a Near Mint+ 9.6 grade by Certified Guaranty Company set a record for this historic first chapter in the Marvel Universe.
Rare book on mining history features among five lots to watch
16 September 2024With estimates from £800, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week
Military policeman who risked his life in blaze rescue attempt received the Albert Medal
16 September 2024Lance 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.
Unusual militaria lot was tailor made for a museum purchase
16 September 2024A one-off find in the shape of a military tailor’s pattern book from 1895 has been bought by the National Army Museum (NAM).
Recruiting drive: First World War poster collection up for grabs
16 September 2024Specialist 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.
Nameplate sale shows how a Sherman tank called Michael spearheaded Allied success
16 September 2024Along with the Soviet T34, the Sherman was regarded as one of the best all-round tanks of the Second World War.
Bomb disposal bravery award recognises an unsung hero of the Falklands War
16 September 2024Wars 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.
Thomas Daniell Calcutta plates in five-figure demand
16 September 2024Five plates from the series Views of Calcutta underlined the demand for work by Thomas Daniell (1749-1840) when they hammered at £24,000 in Edinburgh on September 4-5.
Militaria news in brief: eye catching results
16 September 2024A look at unusual lots that stood out in recent auctions
Soft cover Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone bought for £3.50 in 1997 now hammers at £6600 in auction
11 September 2024The bad news if you have a first edition of 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone' in soft covers is that they are not as rare as the hardback version which numbered 500 copies.
Leighton auction purchase lights up exhibition at museum dedicated to the artist
10 September 2024Frederic Leighton’s 'Bay of Cádiz, Moonlight' will go on public display for the first time in 120 years at the artist’s former home after being bought at auction this summer.
Wheellock hits world record sum
02 September 2024A royal sporting gun from King Louis XIII’s famous Cabinet d’Armes has set a new world record for a wheellock firearm at auction.
Gun from Louis XIII’s famous cabinet sets a record for a wheellock firearm at auction
28 August 2024Result reflects quality and provenance of the remarkable weapon from a renowned collection
Early Australia takes shape: maps sold at auction in Melbourne
27 August 2024Seventeenth and 18th century maps sold in Melbourne auction show how much discoveries had revealed
Pick of the Week: Not Braveheart but Brucehead…
27 August 2024Long before the American/Australian actor Mel Gibson gladdened Scottish hearts with the woad-splattered film Braveheart, the early 19th century was an awakening for Caledonian identity.
Captain must have made a packet to live in a Falmouth house that grand
27 August 2024Two religious works were among an intriguing archive of items relating to a famed Falmouth packet ship commander and family that impressed at Lay’s (21% buyer’s premium) auction in Lanner, Cornwall, on August 8.