Collectables

In dealer news this week, a Kings Road trader retires, a London dealer launches a new platform and a Leeds firm joins BADA

This Huntley & Palmers factory fire service helmet with white metal mounts and H&P monogram was the highlight of a collection offered at Kent saleroom Bentley’s (20% buyer’s premium) on May 15.

Television host's collection yields rare studies at London auction

“An impressively sized fine and rare” coin-operated upright 22in Polyphon Disk Musical Box-on-Discbin sold for £5500 in Tennants’ (24% buyer’s premium) Scientific & Musical Instruments Sale on May 15.

Victorian mountaineering book annotated by the author climbs to 20 times the top estimate

Further to Richard Fattorini’s article on second and later editions in ATG No 2643 (‘Worth having second thoughts’), first appearances are also of interest.

The importance of an original box in good condition to the value of a toy is well known. But what about a display without any toy in sight, box or no box?

A world atlas produced by a Dublin-born man who is considered the first US commercial publisher made its way to the Irish capital to be sold at auction house Adam’s (25% buyer’s premium).

A spectacular 19th century Steinway concert grand piano sold for $80,000 (£64,000) at Nadeau’s (23% buyer’s premium).

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

A book elaborately illustrated with needle-work samples and commemorating Queen Victoria’s first trip to Ireland as monarch was one of the standout sales as 'Firsts London’s Rare Book Fair' opened.

Stand-out lots from upcoming sales including Chardin still-life, Napoleonic marshal's baton and fine art collection acquired over decades

This wreath of helichrysum (immortelle or everlasting) flowers was apparently sent to Napoleon on St Helena as a token of support from two of his sympathisers in London.

News that Celtic and Rangers no longer automatically qualify for the Champions League next season put a bit of a dampener on Scottish football.

Manuscript ‘sold in 1776’ at forerunner of Sotheby’s emerges in New York sale