Auctioneers

Special piece comes from historian’s collection including items linked to the family home in Derbyshire

Among the most eagerly contested lots in the Historical Documents, Autographs and Ephemera sale at Spink (22.5% buyer’s premium) in London was one including two letters written by a sailor while aboard HMS Northumberland when she carried Napoleon Bonaparte into exile in 1815.

Making tiled tables was something of a tradition in the Bell family.

When it comes to the prints of Norman Ackroyd (1938-2024), his dramatic monochrome depictions of natural locations – such as St Kilda in Scotland, Skellig Michael and Achill Island in Ireland, or of the Yorkshire Dales – tend to command the most interest.

Copy of revised 1633 edition of Gerard’s famous botanical work The Herball stands out in west London

Two trademark prints by Anthony Fry (1927-2016) posted high auction sums for graphic works by the artist at a recent single-owner sale held by Dreweatts (28% buyer’s premium).

A rare scissorwork diorama depicting Napoleon captive on St Helena was among the curios included in Sworders’ (25% buyer’s premium) latest Out of the Ordinary sale.

Asian Art in London annually celebrates outstanding examples of art and antiques offered by auction houses and dealers through a series of awards. Here are the items shortlisted this year in the three award categories.

Japanese artist Kusama’s set of lithographs with signature motifs demonstrates more affordable way to collect

A late 19th century musical automaton made during the Golden Age of French automata emerged from a Staffordshire house clearance to take £3200 at Richard Winterton (22% buyer’s premium).

A Märklin tinplate ocean liner toy ship from c.1905-12 estimated at £250-300 steamed away on sale day in Nottingham at a hammer price of £24,000.

Kilkenny auction house Fonsie Mealy is holding a contents sale at Newport House in Newport, County Mayo, on October 20-21.

Collector built friendships all over the world when amassing a record of two centuries of mining equipment

Bumper auction includes set of Pooh books and 58 lots of modern firsts from a single vendor

Relatively few Britannia Standard silver dinner services from the Queen Anne period are available to buy.

Paintings by the Dutch artist Rachel Ruysch seldom make it to market and when they do, regularly command six-figure and on occasions even seven-figure prices.