Collectables

The 'Oath of a Freeman', one of the most infamous forgeries in US history, heads to auction at Heritage this month. It comes for sale from Justin Schiller, the antiquarian bookseller who in 1985 attempted to broker its sale for $1.5m.

The Brontë museum hopes to raise funds to buy rare manuscripts from a rediscovered library collection coming up for sale at Sotheby’s.

The Royal Academy of Music has said it has no plans to sell or dispose of any of its historic instruments after national media reported it was looking into ‘decolonialising’ its collection.

Famous Kelmscott edition and copies of unpublished letters both attract strong bidding at Bonhams' books sale

Almost two decades after the first American cast-iron mechanical banks, John Harper and Company of the Albion Works in Willenhall, Staffordshire filed a patent for the Wimbledon bank on September 21, 1885.

Lyon & Turnbull’s Lalique sale had been displayed at the Mall Galleries in London with posters from the Shell Heritage Art Collection as a backdrop.

Distinctive bureau cabinet form could have been intended for presentation to the guild.

A New and Correct Plan of the Cities of London, Westminster and Borough of Southwark sold at Reeman Dansie (20% buyer’s premium) of Colchester was offered on behalf of an un-named charity.

Sold for £3000 as part of a four-day sale held by Bellmans (22% buyer’s premium) of Wisborough Green was what was billed as a gold mounted rectangular book binding, probably European and 19th century but in the 18th century taste.

Wendl in Rudolstadt is holding its 100th sale and among the unusual collectables is a 19th century game of chance, known as Kakelorum, from c.1830.

Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions.

New reference work details an illuminating form of gift that took off in the Victorian era

Bentley owners and fanciers had the opportunity to acquire some scarce memorabilia in a spring sale at Bourne End Auctions (17.5% buyer’s premium).

Copy of the 1931 Golden Cockerel edition of The Four Gospels illustrated with woodcuts by Eric Gill stars in Bath auction.

Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions.

At 2ft 5in (74cm) high, this English made wooden doll c.1740 is unusually large.

While Georgian spectacles are relatively common at auction, 17th century examples are a rarer beast.

Trio of family paintings depicting Jervis’ finest hour bring £90,000 result for marine specialist Charles Miller