Auctioneers

Engraving on Tiffany pepperette reveals the provenance as a princely present in 1879

The creation of James T Palmatary, the engraved and framed birds-eye view or plan of Chicago of 1857 pictured above is almost 7ft wide.

Jean (1913-92) and Jacqueline (1920- 2009) Lérat were artist ceramicists based in central France.

Found in a cigar box during an attic clearance and taken to Exeter auction house Bearnes, Hampton & Littlewood (25% buyer’s premium), seven framed daguerreotypes in poor condition provided one of the better sleepers of the year on November 22-23.

Found by head of department Catriona Smith in a box of mixed jewellery, this rare 16th or 17th century gold ‘toadstone’ ring came for sale at Sworders (25% buyer’s premium).

The philanthropist, retired businessman and one-time Olympian bobsledder for Canada, Sir Christopher Ondaatje, chose a good time to sell a painting depicting a young 19th century black woman.

This youthful work by Edouard Manet (1832-83) was the top-seller in the Modern and Contemporary auction at Tajan (26/21/14% buyer’s premium) in Paris.

Commissioned by the 'Illustrated London Times' to document the construction of the mighty Great Eastern, the young photographer Robert Howlett (1831-58) took some of the most famous images of ship’s designer Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806-59).

Group of works by the uncle and nephew attracts significant Indian bidder interest

Illuminated manuscript c.1470 is a highlight in Gloucestershire saleroom

A very fine Victorian butterfly collection formed between c.1880-1920 was offered by Minster Auctions (20% buyer’s premium) in Leominster on November 24.

The collection of the original Troika moulds, referenced in ATG No 2564, failed to find a buyer in our monthly auction in October.

An old family collection of Martin Brothers stonewares, assembled with purchases from the Southall potters in the late 19th and early 20th century, was offered in Cambridgeshire.

A Max Beckmann (1884-1950) self-portrait set a record for any artwork sold at a German auction when it was knocked down at €20m (£17.1m).

A rare cigarette card featuring one of England’s top goal-scorers sold for a spectacular £25,900.

Dreweatts and Forum Auctions are to hold their first joint sale this month.

It was, said the catalogue, “a once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire a top end sign in such remarkable condition”.

Punch and Judy shows in Britain date back to as early as 1662 – recorded by Pepys – with origins in the charismatic 16th century Italian puppet Pulcinella.

A fine First World War silver presentation model of the Vickers FB5 or Gunbus made by Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Company (London 1916) was sold together with two related photographs plus a copied letter of provenance at Dominic Winter (20% buyer’s premium).

Forget names such as Palitoy, Britains, Dinky, Sindy, Bing and Marklin for a moment – recent auctions have shown the demand that can exist for lesser-known manufacturers and brands in the toys world.