News from Spink

Can't find what you're looking for? Reports from past sales and other archived news articles are available in our News Archive. Check our archive of press releases here and don't forget to read the monthly Spink newsletters.

Items from Royal Philatelic Collection to sell in rarities sale at spink in London
On the 12th of June 2008, Spink will auction a fine selection of rare philatelic items at their London headquarters and are pleased to announce that within the sale there will be 13 duplicate items from the Royal Philatelic Collection. There are a number of enticing items featured including...more

£2 million in King George V stamps for sale at spink in london
 Spink are pleased to announce the upcoming auction of The “Monarch”  Collection, an assemblage of philatelic rarities valued at over £2 million.  This auction, taking place on the 8th of May 2008, will offer the most  comprehensive collection of King George V issues ever accumulated and  break the current record for the most valuable single owner collection  ever auctioned in the United Kingdom...more

 Spink Acquires Smythe, New York’s oldest dealer and Auctioneer in  coins, paper money, Antique stocks and bonds and autographs London, England - March 7, 2008 - Spink, the world’s leading  auctioneers of Coins, Stamps, Medals and Banknotes, Bonds and  Share Certificates, based in London and established 1666, has  acquired R.M. Smythe & Company, specialists in Antique Stocks and Bonds, Banknotes, Coins, and Autographs, based in New York City and established in 1880...more

 For Valour: Lord Ashcroft to Exhibit 50 Victoria Crosses at Spink - 05/02/08
Spink, in association with the Ashcroft V.C. Trust, is proud to announce that  they will be hosting an exhibition of fifty Victoria Crosses from the most  important collection of these Awards ever formed.
Britain’s largest display of the world’s highest and most prestigious Decoration  for Gallantry for over half a century will be open to the General Public in Spink’s Main Gallery, 16th-25th April 2008....more

Outstanding Prices for Renaissance Medals at Spink - 25/01/2008
An important collection of renaissance medals and plaquettes was sold yesterday afternoon at Spink in London. The sale is thought to be the most significant of its kind to come to auction in some fifty years. Collectors from around the world gathered to participate in the sale and the prices realised indicate the strong demand for renaissance works of art...more

Spink to auction HK$ 5million in stamp rarities found in old notebook -
Occasionally great philatelic rarities are found, their importance not realised or forgotten as collections were passed down through the generations. Early last year such a discovery occurred in Spink’s London office when the grandson of a collector brought in an old and insignificant  notebook which was part of his grandfather’s collection...more

 Spink Moves Into Bonds And Shares With World Leading Expert
 We look forward to welcoming Mike Veissid, Managing Partner of  Collectors Gallery, as the Director for Spink’s new Bond and Share  department. He will join the London office on the 4th of December  2007.  He brings along with him a well known brand name in the  business as well as one of Europe's largest stocks of Shares and Bonds, which is certainly the best in the world for British and Commonwealth material...more

Imperial Russian Awards & Medals Achieve World Record Prices at auction
This morning at Spink in London, a crowded auction room saw Russian lots sell for enormous prices.  Amongst the highlights were the honours and awards bestowed upon General Thiébault Charles Maurice Janin (1862-1946), Commanding Officer of the Czech Legion, and one of the three most senior Allied Officers during the Allied Intervention in Russia, 1918-20...more

 Europe And Overseas - 6th December 2007
 This interesting and varied sale includes an unusual array of lots  from romantic areas such as Brazil, Chile, Egypt, Iran, Israel,  Lombardy and Venetia, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia and  Württemburg...more

Spink To Sell Awards Bestowed Upon The ‘Saviour’ Of The Russian Imperial Family
On the 22nd of November 2007 Spink will hold its next medals, orders and decorations auction in London. Amongst the highlights of the sale are the honours and awards bestowed upon General Thiébault Charles Maurice Janin (1862-1946), Commanding Officer of the Czech Legion, and one of the three most senior Allied Officers during the Allied Intervention in Russia, 1918-20...more

 Exceedingly Rare Austrian Gold 15 Ducats
 The practice of issuing large denomination gold coins for  presentation, mainly at court, reached its peak in Austria under  Emperor Ferdinand II (1619-1657) and his son Ferdinand  III...more

Exceptional Bronze Proof Pennies, Rarely Available.
Among the rarest of the British bronze Penny series, 1860-1967,  are specimens struck as Proofs. A selection of exceptional examples of these rare Proof Pennies will be sold at Spink on 28th November, including...more

 Captain Cook “Resolution and Adventure Medal” Rare example  in silver
 Captain Cook’s “Resolution” and “Adventure” Medal, 1772,  struck in silver by Mathew Boulton, 41mm. Obverse: laureate  bust of king George III right, BF (Boulton Fecit) on truncation,  inscription...more

Rare Eighteenth Century Irish Gold Medal
Ireland, oval gold medal, Awarded by the Royal Dublin Society in   1762 , to William Stewart  of Co. Tyrone for growing oak trees. The obverse bears the design of the Royal Dublin Society,  showing Minerva, often mistaken for Hibernia, seated with her head turned left, holding a spear in one hand, her other arm holding a cornucopia and leaning on a shield...more

The Half Lengths of Victoria, 1850-59 – The Gary Diffen Collection
The Half Lengths are notable as being the first stamps issued by the colony of Victoria in 1850 and are unusual in that they are among the world’s first lithographed stamps. The stamps were designed, printed and issued in three values: 1d, 2d, and 3d by three private companies in Melbourne...more

 October Stamp Sales Greatly Exceed Estimates At Spink
 Madagascar – the Frederick Mayer collection contained only 98 lots  but was the first of its kind ever to be offered in a single catalogue.   Everything sold for close on twice estimate and two of the highlights  were offered as lot 1 and 2...more

New £20 Notes Achieve High Prices In The Name Of Charity
Banknote enthusiasts gathered Friday night at the Bank of England to take part in an auction of primarily low-numbered £20 Adam Smith notes. The sale saw Barnaby Faull, Spink’s Director of Banknotes, auction over 200 lots on behalf of the Bank of England...more

 £115,100 The Price of the World's Most Expensive Asian Banknote  Sold at Spink Today
 Today Spink’s World Banknotes auction featured numerous  rarities which realized unbelievable prices. Without a shadow of  a doubt, the highlight of the sale was a collection of the first ever  Malaysian banknotes.  The lot was purchased for an amazing  £115,100, four times the original estimate, which broke Spink’s previously held record for the most expensive Asian Banknotes sold ever at auction...more

Great Britain Prices soar to new heights at Spink.
Philatelic enthusiasts gathered mid-afternoon yesterday to purchase a portion of history from the Great Britain ‘Victoriana’ stamps and postal history collection.  Four hundred and thirty-six  lots went under the hammer realising a total price of £1,352,764...more

 Spink’s Bank Of England Charity Banknote Auction.
 The charity banknote auction of primarily low-numbered £20  Adam  Smith notes, takes place on Friday 12 October in the  Conference  Centre of the Bank of England. The auction, which  is being  arranged  and conducted by Spink, will take place  from 6pm to  8pm, with doors  opening at 5.30pm...more

 Spink To Host Exhibition Of Stamps And Postal History Of The  Falkland Islands. 
 Spink are delighted to announce an exhibition of Falkland  Islands Stamps and Postal History to take place at the  recently  renovated Gallery and Salerooms at 69  Southampton Row,  London. The exhibition will open to the  public at noon on the  29th October 2007 and run for one  week, closing at 16.30 on  Friday 2nd November...more

Outstanding Results For Auction Launching New Bank of Scotland Notes.
Last night Spink hosted a charity auction on behalf of the Bank of  Scotland in Edinburgh. The auction took place the same day as the new “Bridges” banknotes went into circulation around Scotland.  This is the 47th design in the 312 year history of the bank. The most desirable notes of the series, including special numbers like AA01 000001 and sheets, were held and auctioned off to the highest bidder, all in the name of charity. Governor of the Bank of Scotland, Dennis Stevenson, sold the first lot to a packed room for an astounding £12,000, three times the estimate...more

Outstanding Great Britain Stamps To Be Offered By Spink On 4th October.
 Spink are absolutely delighted to offer our Great Britain collectors some  fascinating material which has not been available on the market for  decades.  437 lots dating from 1840 to 1900 with sections including  Mailboat and Naval cancellations together with British Post Offices abroad  as well as early Line Engraved gems and Surface Printed high values...more

Bank of Scotland Release New Banknotes With A Charity Auction.
On September 17th 2007 Spink will travel to Edinburgh to conduct a charity  auction on behalf of the Bank of Scotland. The auction is set to take place the same day as the new “Bridges” banknotes go into circulation around Scotland.  This will be the 47th new design in the 312 year history of the bank. The most desirable notes of the series, including special numbers like AA01 000001 and sheets, have been held and will be auctioned off to the highest bidder, all in the name of charity. All proceeds from the sale will go to the British Heart Foundation...more

 Spink First Stamp Sale Of The Autumn Season ToFeature  Cape Of Good  Hope. Thursday the 20th of September will be the  date for  the first  auction of the second half of the year and will  feature the  exhibition  collection of a well known philatelist  resident in Europe.    It will comprise some 250 lots of the so called “Rectangular” issue  and will include the period known as the “Boer War” with prisoner of  war envelopes and also stamps and covers incorporating the Siege  of Mafeking which made such an impression on the nation as a  whole during the turn of the 19th century...more

Gift Fit For A King : First Ever Malaysian Banknotes Come Up For Auction. On the 8th of October 2007 Spink’s World Banknotes Auction will  feature many great raritiesincluding a collection of the first ever Malaysian banknotes.  The banknotes were a gift presented by Ismail Mohd Ali, on behalf of the Board of Governors of Bank Negara Malaysia, to the (fourth) King of Malaysia, Tuanku Ismail Nasiruddin Shah...more

 Spink Acquires Shreves Philatelic Galleries to Form a Global  Leader With Strong Financial Resources to Serve Collectors.
 Spink is pleased to announce it has acquired Shreves Philatelic  Galleries for an undisclosed amount of cash and shares, valuing  the enlarged entity well in excess of US$100 million. Shreves  Philatelic Galleries is America’s leading Philatelic Auctioneer, with  offices in New York and Dallas...more

English Civil War In Coinex Week Sale
The complex and fascinating history of the English coinage during the troubled reign of Charles I and in particular during the period of the Civil War (1642-49) is well illustrated by the superb selection of coins in the 27 September auction, Spink’s auction during COINEX week, some from the Glenister collection,  others from various properties...more

A Rare And Historically Interesting Triple Unite Of Charles I From The Bridgewater House Collection. There is an interesting selection of coins of the reign of Charles I  in Spink’s 27 September auction, our annual auction during  Coinex week. From the busy mint at Oxford during the Civil War  there is an intriguing Triple Unite from the Bridgewater House  collection...more

A Gold Medal Of The Moscow Triumphal Arch 1838
Included in the Collection of Russian Imperial Gold Medals consigned to Spink’s 27 September auction is one of the most spectacular gold medals of the entire series, the rectangular gold medal commemorating the opening of the Moscow Triumphal Arch in St. Petersburg (Moskovskiye Triumfalnye vorota)...more

 Una And The Lion
 The appearance in the September 27 auction of no less than three  examples of William Wyon’s ‘Una and the Lion’, one of the most famous  coins of the English series, gives us the opportunity to examine this  remarkable coin in detail...more

Federal Malay States
The Federated Malay States of Pahang, Perak, Selangor, Negri Sembilan and Sungei Ujong were constituted on 1st July 1896. This collection covers the forerunner period up to 1891, where the stamps of the Straits Settlements were overprinted with the respective State name for mails within Malaya...more

 British Empire Stamps Achieve a Warm Welcome at Spink
 The Spink auction room was well filled for the 4 sessions on the  25th and 26th of July as nearly 2000 lots came under the hammer.   241 buyers competed for these items and no less than 185 were  successful.  The final total was nearly £750.000 and this  represented  88% by value.  Virtually all the specialised collections  were well received and amongst these, we select a few notable realisations for our client’s attention...more

Drawings, Drawing Instruments, Wax Models, Pattern Coins and Medals from the Wyon Family
The auction during Coinex week will include a collection of items relating to the Wyon family which has come by direct descent to the present owner via Sir William Castle Cleary, the grandson of Leonard Wyon...more

 British Empire Stamps and Covers to be Sold by Spink on the 25th  and 26th July
 Four sessions of some 500 lots each will be required to dispose of  this very valuable auction which contains several important sections  with an interesting cross section of Postal History, stamps and  peripheral material.  The first session is largely devoted to two  collections namely the David M. Cohen collection of World War 1 War stamps and secondly that of New Zealand formed by the late Bernard Symonds...more

Another Rarity In The Coinex Week Sale
Among many rarities offered in our sale in Coinex week will be a new discovery. A multiple gold Doppie of Genoa, a 10 Doppie of 1641, has just been disclosed. Until now there were believed to be only two known examples...more

 Superb Russian Coins and Medals in Platinum, Gold, Silver and  Copper Consigned to 27 September Auction
Spink’s sale during Coinex week at the end of September has  attracted three different collections of Russian coins and medals.  Highlights of the medal section will certainly be the large and  impressive 19th century medals in copper, silver and gold...more

A Superb Petition Crown to be Offered at Spink in September
The Crown is from the Glenister collection, a small collection of English coins formed in the 1940s.  It was purchased in December 1944 from B.A.Seaby, and so will be reappearing on the market for the first time in 60 years.  Its previous auction appearance was in the Brunning sale in 1908 where it was purchased by Spink for £155...more

 Unique Hong Kong Proof Consigned For Coinex Auction
 The unique 1868 Hong Kong Proof Set is to be offered in  Spink’s auction during COINEX week. The set of five silver  coins was acquired in Hong Kong over 100 years ago by the  present owner’s family in the course of business in the former  British Colony, and the coins have never been on the open market...more

An Australian Explorer's Souvenir Rediscovered After 100 Years
After lying unnoticed for over 100 years in the drawer of an unused piece of furniture in the attic of an ancestral home in Scotland, a precious souvenir of the days of exploration in the Australian outback has been discovered...more

 Falklands Hero’s Medals for Sale
 On the 19th of July Spink will once again fill their auction room with  enthusiastic buyers of Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria.  This year is the 25th anniversary of the Falklands War, appropriate  timing for Spink to sell the medal group of one of the war’s most  heroic participants: Lance-Corporal Martin William Lester Bentley,  M.M.(Goose Green)...more

All Three June Stamps Sales at Spink Achieve Excellent Results
Auction sales at Spink on June 6th and 7th proved quite a revelation.  Not only was the material of a diverse nature including Great Britain, Important Stamps and Covers of the World and British North America, but the reception from our clients was most rewarding...more

 Stamps and Covers of South East Asia Singapore 24th June 2007
 This important sale features over 860 lots with a pre-sale estimate of over  S$3,000,000. The first part of the sale features the Joseph Wong Choon Wing  collection of which the main portion is his award-winning collection of Straits  Settlements, 1829-1941. Starting with pre-stamp covers, of note are the 1829  and 1831 entires showing the large boxed “SINGAPORE/P.O.” datestamps in  black (est. S$ 8000-10,000) and red (est. S$8,000-10,000)  respectively...more

Highlights for June 27th Ancient, Islamic, English & Foreign Coins and Comm Medals Sale
Struck at Gloucester when it was the centre of opposition to King Stephen in the 1140’s, this newly found penny is only the second known. At this time England was split between those who supported Stephen who had become king in 1135, and those who supported the rival claimant Matilda. The ensuring civil war, famously described at the time as nineteen long winters, divided England...more

 The collection of Ottoman coins of the late Mr Kenneth Malcolm  MacKenzie (1917-2005) to be auctioned by Spink on 27th June.
 Kenneth MacKenzie was considered to be one of the greatest  authorities on Ottoman coinage. Although long resident in New  Jersey, it is perhaps fitting that his collection is being sold within the  UK as his family were of Scottish origin, and he was born in Devon. He had been collecting coins since his father gave him some Chinese Cash at a young age, but his interest in Ottoman coins was sparked by his post-war visits to R.L. Protassowski at Seaby’s...more

Spink to Sell the "JURA" Collection of Canada on Thursday the 7th June
It has been some time since Spink last held a specialised British North America auction so it is especially rewarding to have two most attractive collections for our clients interested in Canadiana to enjoy.  Some 800 lots available with a mid estimate value of £350,000...more

 An Evening Auction at Spink-"Important Stamps and Covers of the World"
 The time will be 5.30 pm on Wednesday 6th June when a most attractive  group of rarities will hit the auction block at the Spink Auction Galleries and  this most select Sale, with a value well in excess of £1 million, will include  some outstanding rarities...more

Medals of Unremitting R.A.F. Hero Go Under the Hammer
On 19th April 2007 Spink will auction the remarkable and unique Medal  Group of Air Chief Sir Basil Embry, which is expected to fetch between  £150,000 to £180,000. The sheer scale of his medal group, a total of 18, is  truly a feast for the enthusiast’s eyes...more

 Russia and England Go Head to Head at Spink
 Spink’s auction room saw a bidding frenzy today with the sale of Ancient,  English & Foreign Coins & Commemorative Medals. The 448 lot sale brought  £580,442 with two coins in particular drawing a great deal of attention...more

Spink March Stamp Sales Confirm the Current Strong Market
Wednesday the 7th March witnessed the first two areas commencing with “Mediterranean and Atlantic Mailboat covers and cancellations” and St. Lucia.  The Mailboat sale had 181 lots available and 55 buyers registered of which 25 were successful.  The realisation of £121.000 was 74% by value...more

 Two Great Rarities in 29 March Coin Auction
 The general sale of Ancient, English and Foreign coins and commemorative  medals on 29 March contains two great numismatic rarities...more

Royal Letters for Sale at Spink
On March 8th 2007 Spink will hold a Great Britain Stamps and Covers auction at 69 Southampton Row. Over 900 lots will come under the hammer throughout the course of the day and four lots in particular are likely to draw a great deal of attention from followers of the Royal family as several envelopes and postcards written by members of the Royal family are up for sale in this auction...more

Three Important Stamp Auctions Take Place at Spink in Early March
Three exciting sales will take place during the second week of March and will commence with “Mediterranean And Atlantic Mailboat Covers and Cancellations”.  Wednesday the 7th March at 11.00 am will comprise of 181 lots of this interesting subject when stamps on covers were struck with cancellations used on board ships carrying mail  Firstly in the Mediterranean Sea struck with barred numeral cancellations...more

Spink to Raise Buyer’s Premium
Spink, auctioneers and dealers in coins, medals, banknotes, stamps and books, will raise their Buyer’s Premium from a flat 15% to 20% on the first £2000 pounds of the hammer price and 15% on the remaining balance...more

 Spink First Auction of 2007 a Virtual Sell-Out
 Spink first philatelic auction on 17th January proved once again that a first class  catalogue with excellent contents will prove a great attraction for the buying  public.  71 buyers out of the 93 who registered laid claim to the 704 lots  available.  A highly respectable total of £348.000 was achieved which  represented 97% by value leaving just over £11.000 unsold.  This is all the  more remarkable as the St. Vincent portion represented the section of the Jaffe  collection that was not displayed at International Exhibitions...more

Spink to Hold First Live Audio/Video Internet Auction in Hong Kong with Collection of Chinese Philatelic and Banknote Parities
On January 20th and 21st London auction house, Spink, will be the first to hold a live internet auction in the Far East, broadcast live from the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Hong Kong. Since July 2006 Spink Live has provided the interactive service which allows clients to bid in London sales from the comfort of their own home or office. The annual auctions in Hong Kong will this year play host to a landmark event for the live bidding platform...more

Philatelic News from Spink-Winter 2006/07
Spink are delighted to announce a new innovation from the stamp department to coincide with the opening of our new gallery.  Besides our usual displays of coins, medals, banknotes and special commissions, we will have available some very fine private treaty offerings of rare and unusual stamps and covers...more

News archive

Archive of press releases

(An archive of our press releases in available in the Resources section)