Antique Collecting – new Christmas issue

The latest issue of Antique Collecting magazine is out soon – with a distinctly festive focus. Inside, discover the world’s largest collection of nutcrackers and the sweet subject of custard cups. Scroll down to see what’s inside

Nuts About: Nothing signals the start of the Christmas holidays like a bowl of nuts. Antique Collecting traces the history of nutcrackers

Trifling Affair: Custard cups make charming and elegant collector’s pieces, as well as revealing much about the social and culinary history of the UK, writes Rob Merrills

Rolling Stock: Once a schoolboy stalwart, marbles have rolled out of view. Jerry Burley sets the record straight with his collecting guide

Fit for a Queen: 2022 will be remembered for the sad death of Queen Elizabeth II. Edward Rycroft looks back on the design classics from the second Elizabethan age

Football Focus: With this year’s World Cup underway we consider the collectability of jerseys – from Maradona’s iconic £7.1m shirt to easy-to-find replicas

Taking an Ince: The little-known partnership of the Georgian furniture makers William Ince and John Mayhew is put in the spotlight by a new book and recent sale

An Auctioneer’s Lot: Once upon a time it was every boy’s dream Christmas gift – Charles Hanson unwraps the history of Meccano

Waxing Lyrical: Antiques dealer David Harvey gives high praise to a George III lowboy

PLUS – All the latest news from the top auction houses, events and the market