Collectables

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

When Marcel Duchamp was recruited in 1953 by New York gallerist Sidney Janis to create a retrospective of the Dada art movement, he rose to the challenge.

Michael Ramsey (1904-88) who served as the 100th Archbishop of Canterbury from 1961-74, curated his own personal visitor book that tracked his career from 1942-87.

Specialist dealer evicted from arcade stays optimistic about a return – and will be at the ‘Horti’ fair

Silver coffee pot with royal connection is just one of the many highlights at the Berkeley Square fair

Despite the catalogue note “would benefit from sympathetic restoration to exterior”, the overall appeal of a rare 19th century folk art dolls’ diorama of a kitchen was enough to take the hammer price to £7000.

An early clockwork model wheeled into a Buckinghamshire saleroom to get bidders into gear for an estimate-busting result

Its survival a mystery for years, a rare 1950s Meccano store display figure has surfaced in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

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

Andrew Mottram launched Malby Maps in 2012. In addition to dealing in antique maps, it creates ‘Geographical Memories’ by recycling and upcycling vintage maps, creating bespoke map artwork, lampshades, greetings cards, paperweights, doorstops, silk aviator cushions and other commissioned items. The firm recently exhibited at The Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair in Battersea Park.

Small-scale Mouseman carvings were typically made in Kilburn for promotional purposes – attracting custom at the Yorkshire Show or similar trade events. Rarities continue to bring muscular sums in the salerooms.

The inaugural sale at Rare Book Auctions (26.5% buyer’s premium) in Lichfield included this signed and inscribed first printing of Terry Pratchett’s 'The Colour of Magic'.

The Scottish printer David Bryce (1845-1923) said that when he “descended to the miniature, mite and midget size” he had “many a scoff and jeer as to the absurdity of the production”.

The Autumn Auction at Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood in Exeter on October 15-16 includes an array of unusual objects from the collection of the late Christopher Hawkings, who at one time was the co-owner of Phillips, Son & Neale in London’s Bond Street (the firm that later became Phillips).

Broadside offered $100,000 reward in total for apprehension of president’s killer and accomplices

A recent Vintage Posters sale at Swann Galleries (25/20/12% buyer’s premium), a summer staple of the New York auction house, was dominated by three large early 20th century magic posters, each hammering for $22,000 (£16,650).

Of numismatic interest in the Swinton sale were two George VI silver seal matrices made for the County Palatine and the Duchy of Lancaster.