Ireland 1937 "St Patrick" set of 3 to 10s, SG102/4

Empire and freedom: how overprints, language, and design made Ireland’s stamps free

As Ireland, people of Irish descent, friends of the country and - if we’re honest - lots of people who like a party celebrate St Patrick’s Day, her...
Nelson Mandela signed photograph

8 answers for safe storage of valuable autographs

Have you just bought an autograph?  I couldn’t be happier for you.  And if you bought it from me I’m happy for me too!  Everyone’s a winner when a ...
Distill the World whisky celebrating Mexico from The Macallan

Fancy a drink? Bring several hundred thousand dollars then

A single bottle of whisky for $170,000? A unique distillation that you’ll need $80,000 to sample? Welcome to the world of high-end whisky, which wi...
Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art ceramic bowl

The most valuable museum exhibits in the world

We can never know for sure what the most valuable museum exhibits in the world are. So many of them are not for sale, and many have never been sold...
The Top 10 Museums in the World

The Top 10 Museums in the World

How many of these great museums have you visited?  I’ve been to three. My colleague, four.  The domed Reading Room at the British Museum is one of...
Signed Pablo Picasso sketch

Yes, you can afford a Picasso, and it might pay off for you

Can you afford a Picasso?  What a question.  You're probably imagining how much you would have to win on a lottery or which assets you'd have to li...
chess player Magnus Carlsen

The chess star’s jeans that stayed on while he walked out sold for $36,100

Not many chess players make it into the realm of celebrity. Perhaps Magnus Carlsen can now be named in that exclusive set after he auctioned a pair...
Statue of Chairman Mao

Chairman Mao on stamps

Who’s the most famous person in world history?  Now, I’m a western born and educated British man, so I go to things that are familiar to me.  Jesus...
Fender stratocaster played by Jeff Beck, image by Christie's

These are the most valuable guitar makes and marques in history 

Rock collector’s only want one thing.  Guitars.  Well two.  Guitars and stars. Guitars owned and played by rock stars are the pre-emminent musical ...
Death of Julius Caesar

The six most valuable ancient coins ever sold

One of the great pluses of coins for collectors is that they last.  Really last.  Coin collections are going to be going strong long after even the...
Gene Hackman signed photograph as Popeye Doyle in The French Connection

7 great Gene Hackman movie posters for collectors

Gene Hackman has died, aged 95, after one of the greatest careers in film acting.  The movies has lost one of its greats.  Here are 10 Hackman movi...
Sex Pistols in Norway, 1977

The 3 most collectible punk and new wave acts

The passing this week of Rick Buckler, the drummer of The Jam, puts a focus on a generation of musicians who had their peak in the late 1970s and e...