Cheffins

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

Four saucers in the rare Copeland Spode R4332 pattern associated with RMS Titanic prompted fierce bidding at two regional salerooms in the space of a fortnight.

Two notable works by Thomas Gainsborough (1727-88) from different ends of his career drew contrasting levels of demand at separate summer auctions.

Lots offer elements that once featured on much larger spectacular 19th century creations

Rare family tree drawing by the 18th-century artist, magician, musician and showman comes to auction

Among the most intriguing naïve pictures sold recently was a simple and ostensibly unassuming painting of a ship offered at a recent Dominic Winter (22% buyer’s premium) auction.

An extensive collection of automobilia housed in not one but two Cambridgeshire barns included an eye-catching example of the most sought-after British enamel signs.

A record price will always stand out, but this comprehensive collection also boasted a much wider range of strong prices underlying a buoyant market

A rare drawing by Matthias Buchinger (1674-1740), the remarkable 18th-century German artist born without hands or feet, is going under the hammer at Cheffins on March 25 estimated at £1000-1500.

Cambridge auction house Cheffins marked its 200-year anniversary by raising £270,596 for charity in the region – exceeding its original bicentenary fundraising pledge by over £70,000.

Preparatory works by the Bloomsbury artist were created for spectacular works at Berwick church