LONDON.- Two of Britain’s leading specialist auction houses unite under the banner “Where History Meets Passion” for a major sale celebrating exceptional sporting history.
SPINK and BUDDS are proud to announce a landmark new partnership that will bring together two of Britain’s most respected specialist auction houses for an exciting auction in London on 25 November 2026.
Under the banner “Where History Meets Passion,” the collaboration brings together SPINK’s centuries of expertise in historic collectibles and BUDDS’ position as Europe’s leading specialist in sports memorabilia, creating a powerful new platform for collectors, institutions and investors worldwide.
At the heart of the partnership is a shared belief that the greatest collectibles are more than objects. They are tangible pieces of history — connected to extraordinary people, defining moments and stories that continue to resonate across generations.
For more than 360 years, SPINK has built an international reputation as a trusted authority in historic collectibles, including coins, stamps, medals, jewellery and objets de vertu, banknotes and other important artefacts, under its enduring philosophy “Where History is Valued.
BUDDS, founded in 2004, has become one of the foremost names in sporting memorabilia, bringing exceptional pieces of sporting history to a growing international collector base under its philosophy “Own Your Passion.”
Together, the two houses will combine their respective expertise, international networks and specialist knowledge to create an auction with global reach.
The November sale is expected to feature exceptional material from across sporting history, including historic trophies, medals, match-worn shirts and equipment, championship artefacts, important documents and unique objects connected to some of sport’s greatest names and defining moments.
Rare silver-gilt and enamel casket presented to J.J.Bentley, from The Football League in 1909
Presented to John James Bentley by the members of The Football League on 8 June 1909, the casket celebrates the 21st anniversary of the League's formation and honours one of the individuals whose vision, diplomacy and leadership helped transform football from a collection of regional clubs into the world's first organised league competition. 4,000 to 6,000
Where History Meets Passion
The partnership comes at a time of significant growth in the international market for rare and historically important collectibles, with collectors increasingly looking beyond traditional categories towards objects with exceptional provenance, cultural significance and compelling stories.
By bringing together their complementary audiences and expertise, SPINK and BUDDS aim to introduce established collectors to new collecting categories while creating a stronger international marketplace for significant sporting artefacts.
Tim Murphy, CEO at BUDDS, said: “This partnership is a natural fit. SPINK and BUDDS share an absolute commitment to expertise, provenance and the preservation of history, while our collectors share something equally important — a passion for owning objects with extraordinary stories behind them.
“By bringing together two highly respected specialist houses, we can introduce our respective audiences to a broader world of collecting and create an exceptional international platform for important sporting memorabilia.
“Sport has given us some of the most powerful and recognisable moments in modern history. The opportunity to bring those stories to market alongside SPINK, under ‘Where History Meets Passion’, is incredibly exciting and we believe this is only the beginning of what the partnership can achieve.”
A Shared Commitment to Provenance and Expertise
Both houses have seen growing international demand for rare, authentic and historically significant material, reflecting the wider evolution of collectibles as both passion-driven purchases and an increasingly established alternative asset class.
The first SPINK x BUDDS: Where History Meets Passion auction will take place in London on 25 November 2026, with further details of the venue, catalogue and headline lots to be announced.
The two houses are currently inviting consignments of exceptional sporting memorabilia and historically significant objects for consideration.
Further auction highlights, consignment opportunities and catalogue details will be announced ahead of the sale.
