Collectables

A rare enamel advertising sign in almost perfect condition was the biggest eye-catcher at the recent dedicated sale held by specialist Pari (20% buyer’s premium) in the Bavarian city of Aschaffenburg.

Belgian city’s council was successful with pre-sale deal to buy queen’s plea on behalf of political prisoners

Four items including an Irish harp and William Morris designs boasted a family connection to the artist

One of the very first commercial box telephones appeared for sale at White’s Auctions (27% buyer’s premium) in Middleboro, Massachusetts.

This Edwardian diorama offered by Smiths of Newent (20% buyer’s premium) in Gloucestershire depicts a locksmith’s shop.

“The Long Range Desert Group were masters of navigation and one of Britain’s most famous special forces. They owed much of their success to the scientific talents of their first commander, Major Ralph Bagnold, whose sun-compass invention revolutionised desert travel.” (National Army Museum.)

A special selection of upcoming lots raging from the Encyclopaedia Britannica and Beano to Oppenheimer's passport and Machiavelli’s The Prince

Two examples of substantial model presentation cannon came up at different salerooms recently.

Our regular listing of UK and Irish books and works on paper sales

Although born in the La Croix-Rousse district of Lyon, Antoine François Jean Claudet (1797-1867) is best known for his contribution to the history of British photography.

Advertising showcards were displayed in grocers and chemist shops, often as counter displays or hanging signs.

Maps and documents relating to Quaker family come up at Essex auction house centuries later

Published in 1598, John Florio’s 'A Worlde of Wordes, or most Copious, and Exact Dictionary in Italian and English' is considered the first comprehensive Italian-English dictionary.