What: Lalique Art Nouveau enamel peacock sautoir necklace, c.1890, in 18-ct yellow gold, French assay marks, 165cm, 85g
Where: Elmwood’s, London (25% buyer’s premium)
When: April 7
Estimate: £20,000-30,000
Hammer price: £22,000
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W&R Jacob & Co Ltd railway passenger coach biscuit tin c.1910, £880 at C&T
What: W&R Jacob & Co Ltd railway passenger coach biscuit tin with hinged roof, circa 1910, 8in (20cm) long
Where: C&T Auctioneers, Kenardington (22% buyer’s premium)
When: April 8
Estimate: £300-£400
Hammer price: £880
Description: This Dining Saloon or First Class Railway Carriage tin was designed to double as a toy for children once the biscuits were eaten, featuring fully functional, movable tinplate wheels. The side of the carriage depicts a high-society dining scene with ‘FIRST CLASS’ and ‘DINING SALOON’ branding. The windows show figures in Edwardian attire, capturing the Titanic era of luxury travel, which appeals to both railway and advertising collectors.
This is one of the rarer pre-WWI transportation novelty tins. While later Jacob's tins (such as the Coronation Coach) were mass-produced and turn up regularly at auction, these earlier carriage tins were more complex to manufacture and fewer have survived in good condition with their wheels intact and lid still on.
The following lot in the sale was a 1920s LMS Railcar biscuit tin that took £560 hammer from the same online buyer. Two years ago, a 1920s Royal Mail van biscuit tin, also by W&R Jacob & Co, sold at the same auction house for £700.
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Asprey & Co. .925 sterling silver novelty suitcase trinket jewellery box, £700 at Alnwick Auctions.
What: Asprey & Co. .925 sterling silver novelty suitcase trinket jewellery box, 269g.
Where: Alnwick Auctions, Northumberland (20% buyer’s premium)
When: April 7
Estimate: £40-60
Hammer price: £700
Description: “Absolute stunner, this one,” said the auctioneer as he held it up. “It’s really nice, I might not let go of it.”
Given the scrap value would be close to £400, the ‘here to sell’ estimate was always going to be exceeded by a significant margin and online pre-auction bids had already taken it to £410 before the live sale.
This item is not destined for the furnace, however. As a luxury novelty from a well-known brand that can be used to contain small items it will be on its way to a happy new owner who placed their bid online.
Various editions of this item have been produced by Asprey, one such example sold for £650 at Potburys in July 2020, another sold for $1200 (£940) in October 2024 at Hill Auction Gallery of Florida.
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Boxed Masudaya battery-operated Gang of 5 Target Robot 3357, Japanese, 1950s, £6000 at C&T.
What: A boxed Masudaya battery-operated Gang of 5 Target Robot 3357, Japanese, 1950s. Previewed in ATG 2737.
Where: C&T Auctioneers, Kenardington (22% buyer’s premium)
When: April 8
Estimate: £4000-£6,000
Hammer price: £6000
Description: The purple robot with detailed lithographed body features swing arms with red pincer hands, red circular target to chest, battery compartment to rear, with original plastic dart-pistol and two darts.
Measuring 38cm (15in) tall, it was described as being “in overall good to very good working condition” and came with its the original box. It sold to an online bidder at top estimate.
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Snow and Mist, Norfolk by Edward Seago, £5500 at Sworders.
What: Snow and Mist, Norfolk by Edward Seago (1910-1974), an oil on board, 41.5 x 60cm
Where: Sworders, Stansted Mountfitchet (25% buyer’s premium)
When: March 31
Estimate: £6000-8000
Hammer: £5500
Description: Previously sold on June 5, 1992 at Christie’s.
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A silver vinaigrette depicting Lincoln cathedral, £1600 at Hansons.
What: A silver vinaigrette depicting Lincoln cathedral, hallmarked for Nathaniel Mills, Birmingham, 1841, approx. 4.6cm long x 3.5cm deep.
Where: Hansons, Etwall (26.5% buyer’s premium)
When: April 2
Estimate: £1000-12000
Hammer: £1600
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A pair of George IV rosewood card tables, £1850 at Lots Road.
What: A pair of George IV rosewood card tables, c.1825, brass inlaid, each with a fold-over top swivelling to reveal a counter-well and opening to reveal a green baized surface.
Where: Lots Road, London (28% buyer’s premium)
When: March 29
Estimate: £1000-1500
Hammer: £1850
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The Cart by LS Lowry, £3500 at Forum Auctions.
What: The Cart, an offset lithograph c.1972, by LS Lowry, signed in pencil.
Where: Forum Auctions, London (27% buyer’s premium)
When: March 31
Estimate: £3000-5000
Hammer: £3500
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Leadenhall Market by Edward Bawden, £3000 at Sworders.
What: Leadenhall Market by Edward Bawden (1903-1989), a lithograph in colours from a linocut, 1967. Framed: 71 x 85cm; sheet: 58 x 77cm
Where: Sworders, Stansted Mountfitchet (25% buyer’s premium)
When: March 31
Estimate: £1200-1800
Hammer: £3000
