Chinese military mail sent from Siberia in 1919 arrives at Chiswick, Mar. 1

An example of Chinese military mail written by a commanding officer and sent from the Spasskoe Garrison in Siberia on May 29, 1919. Image courtesy of Chiswick Auctions
An example of Chinese military mail written by a commanding officer and sent from the Spasskoe Garrison in Siberia on May 29, 1919. Image courtesy of Chiswick Auctions
An example of Chinese military mail written by a commanding officer and sent from the Spasskoe Garrison in Siberia on May 29, 1919. Image courtesy of Chiswick Auctions

LONDON –  Chiswick Auctions will sell the collection of a former British journalist and presumed diplomat who gained access to some of the world’s most secretive countries during the Cold War era. From the 1950s to the 1980s, John Newell spent time in places such as North Korea, China, East Germany, Russia, Tibet, Zanzibar, Alaska, and Panama for both work and leisure at a time when many of these areas were largely off-limits to westerners. The collection will be sold during two auctions without reserves or estimates, with the first part being offered on Wednesday, March 1, and part two scheduled for late July.

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Dr. Ivan Bonchev made his childhood dreams come true

Dr. Ivan Bonchev stands in front of his London art gallery and auction house that allows him to blend his twin passions for collecting and for ancient art and coins both as an entrepreneur and an expert.
 Dr. Ivan Bonchev stands in front of his London art gallery and auction house that allows him to blend his twin passions as an entrepreneur and an expert in ancient art.

Dr. Ivan Bonchev (PhD, University of Oxford) stands in front of his London art gallery and auction house, a business that is an outgrowth of his lifelong passion for ancient art and coins.

LONDON – Dr. Ivan Bonchev, founder of Apollo Galleries and Apollo Art Auctions, has long been fascinated with ancient art and antiquities. An expert in ancient and cultural art and numismatics, he graduated with a PhD from the University of Oxford. Ivan opened his gallery in 2008, adding the auction house nine years later. Today, Apollo Art Auctions sells a diverse array of ancient art, including Asian and Islamic, as well as ancient relics and coins.

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1907 Saint-Gaudens ultra-high-relief gold coin sells for $4.75M

Front of the 1907 Saint-Gaudens ultra high relief gold coin that sold privately for $4.75 million.
Front of the 1907 Saint-Gaudens ultra high relief gold coin that sold privately for $4.75 million.
Front of the 1907 Saint-Gaudens ultra high relief gold coin that sold privately for $4.75 million.

DALLAS — One of America’s greatest coins, the 1907 Saint-Gaudens Ultra High Relief, has changed hands for a record $4.75 million in a private transaction between GreatCollections Coin Auctions of Irvine, California and Heritage Auctions of Dallas.

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Doyle delights with Aug 27 coins, stamps & sports memorabilia sale

1957-58 Topps Bill Russell rookie card, est. $7,000-$10,000
1957-58 Topps Bill Russell rookie card, est. $7,000-$10,000
1957-58 Topps Bill Russell rookie card, est. $7,000-$10,000

NEW YORK – Doyle will hold an auction of Coins, Stamps, Medals & Sports Memorabilia on August 27 at 10 am Eastern time. The sale contains strong selections of coins, postage stamps, medals, picture postcards, and sports memorabilia. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

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