Balzac was a prolific novelist who died in France in 1851. He wrote over eighty novels, was addicted to coffee, and my favourite quotation of his is this, ‘Behind every great fortune is a crime.’ How true today of the mega rich who have so much power in our world and society. The criminal means… Read more »

We are Season Ticket holders for Leicester City. My son travels to several away matches each year and yesterday he joined the ‘Foxes Faithful’ at Stoke where Leicester won 5 – 0. He came back charged up and thrilled with the result. Promotion may now be on the horizon. Every few months I travel to… Read more »

Many years ago I studied Metaphysics and Philosophy at University at UKC. At the time, I think I spent too much time in the Students’ Union and in protest. It was a very different time in our history. One thing I remember being taught was the maxim, ‘De Omnibus Dubitandum’, which is ‘All things must… Read more »

I bought several Lots at recent auctions. Both were run by major Auction Houses who have sound reputations for offering better quality notes. Two of the Lots I bought were graded very badly. One was bought as ‘VF’ but all the notes were AF at best. The other Lot was four EF notes but again,… Read more »

I watched professional snooker for the first time. The main ‘star’ was Judd Trump who won and moved into the Final. Around me were people from Belgium, the Netherlands and UK spectators from Manchester and Swansea, all come to Leicester for the snooker. I enjoyed the experience and was amazed at the skill exhibited. A… Read more »

For the past few days there has been an ‘invasion’ of waxwings, just down the road and round the corner from my house. The street abounds with Rowan trees and the berries are being feasted upon by a large flock of waxwings, all the way from Scandinavia! The twitchers of Leicestershire have gathered in large… Read more »

If you don’t know, then do ask the question(s). I am always happy to offer advice on banknotes that come into people’s possession through probate, lifting floorboards, in suitcases under the bed when a relative has died. I will always give a fair valuation and where and when possible, a valuation. The condition of note… Read more »

Today, I was in the Warwick and Warwick warehouse today, looking at the notes coming up for auction this week. As always, I whittled down my wish list to around twenty Lots. There are a number of collections which are always best seen in person to go through the gradings. Choosing  which notes to bid… Read more »

There is a good variety of the Operation Bernhard notes listed for sale. I think most people know how these notes were printed in Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp during WW2 under the direction of Major Bernhard Kruger….hence the ‘Bernhard’ banknotes. The notes are now very much in demand and at auctions they sell well at fairly… Read more »

Two days ago my wife and I stood in awe at a kingfisher perched on a bridge over a small brook. Every minute it would dive in and come back with a small fish in its beak. The iridescent blue and orange of the bird was caught in the light of a wintry sun. What… Read more »