News

Posted on:

Charles Hanson looks back on his auction highlights of 2025

There is nothing quite like the thrill of the auction room. With bids flying in from around the world, estimates can be blown away when history and competition collide. This column shares some of the most remarkable surprises from the saleroom this year and the stories behind them.

Read More

Posted on:

On the eve of Bonfire Night, Charles Hanson uncovers a rare 17th-century book with what may be the first ever mention of a firework in English

A rare 1634 volume, The Mysteryes of Nature and Art by John Bate, reveals the first English instructions for making fireworks - from rockets to “flying dragons.” The book, set to be auctioned in Lichfield, offers a fascinating glimpse into 17th-century science, spectacle, and Bonfire Night’s explosive origins.

Read More