Collectables

A rare set of Belgian tarot cards, c.1750, came from the Estate of Christopher Rayner, long-standing member of the International Society of Playing Cards and at various times secretary, chairman, vice-president and president of the society.

Pre-17th century English oak carving tends to generate a certain amount of market excitement on the basis that much less of it survives.

Cadbury's advertising sign on offer in Staffs saleroom

Many collectors own examples of Palethorpes signs for sausages and pork pies.

An eight-page account of the famous football match played on Christmas Day in the First World War during an unofficial truce was a highlight of a remarkable album compiled by Voluntary Aid Detachment Nurse Maude Alice Lineham (1883-1967).

A recent sale at Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood (26% buyer’s premium) in Exeter included a late 15th century Italian manuscript that is thought to be a codex unicus.

A pair of pistols that were presented by Napoleon just six weeks after his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo are on offer in Thomas Del Mar’s sale of Fine Antique Arms, Armour & Militaria on December 4.

Oliver Wood is the photography books expert at Shapero Rare Books.

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

The Beatles Memorabilia Auction at Tracks (25% buyer’s premium) in Chorley, Lancashire included one of the most desirable of all commercial Fab Four items: the 1964 Beatles record player by NEMS Enterprises.

John Wallis was one of the leading publishers of board games in the early 19th century. One of them, Science in Sport, or the Pleasures of Astronomy, was first issued in 1804 and revised in 1815.