Collectables

Christie’s posted a spate of record prices at three New York sales from September 10-12 offering Paul Allen’s extraordinary collection of scientific and technological items.

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

Lance Corporal James Smith of the Military Mounted Police, formerly of the Northumberland Fusiliers, survived the First World War but it was a moment of danger after the conflict that earned him a special honour.

In November, Spink of London will offer a Spitfire pilot’s Battle of Britain group of eight awarded to Warrant Officer (later Squadron Leader) Ernest Mayne, No 74 (Tiger) Squadron, RAF.

A collection of cinefilms belonging to Brigadier Dudley Clarke (1899-1974), a key figure behind British military deception operations during the Second World War, was sold by Chiswick Auctions (26% buyer’s premium) on August 7.

Coinex, the most important event on the British calendar for many serious coin collectors, opens at the Biltmore Hotel in Mayfair on September 27-28.

A one-off find in the shape of a military tailor’s pattern book from 1895 has been bought by the National Army Museum (NAM).

Copy of well-known enlightened work featuring portraits and biographies comes to London saleroom

Oliver Bayliss is the proprietor of Bayliss Rare Books and tells ATG about paying attention to detail and a rare militaria find.

Edinburgh auction includes possible record for the design achieved by an example worn by a member of the Kings Own Scottish Borderers

Anderson & Garland (25% buyer’s premium) of Newcastle upon Tyne offered the private collection of militaria and weapons belonging to Douglas Napier Anderson (b.1927).

Specialist auction house Onslows’ November 29 auction includes a rare group of British and Irish recruiting posters form the First World War and a near-complete set of the Parliamentary Recruiting posters.

Along with the Soviet T34, the Sherman was regarded as one of the best all-round tanks of the Second World War.

Barrie Lewis, a Midlands wholesaler of cakes, biscuits and confectionery, began collecting old biscuit tins after he received one as a birthday gift in the early 1980s.

The most eagerly contested lot of the Books, Maps and Manuscripts Sale at Tennants (24% buyer’s premium) on August 23 was one comprising two volumes containing influential works on geology and palaeontology by John Phillips (1800-74) and William Buckland (1784-1856).

Wars are full of renowned acts of bravery in the face of the enemy but medals also salute the feats of many unsung military heroes who often go under the radar in recognition terms.

Pictured here is a detail from an 18th century parchment roll map documenting the primary roads on a journey from London to Durham through the counties of Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire and Durham.

A look at unusual lots that stood out in recent auctions