Dominic Winter

How letters related to wars bring a connection that history books cannot match

Account of a temple study in Scotland is one of the stand-out auction lots in South Cerney

With hindsight, the boast made by the Flying Steam Company – 'To China in Twenty-Four Hours Certain' – was a tad ambitious.

John Faber’s mezzotint version of a portrait by John Vanderbank of Nicholas Saunderson (1682-1739), a celebrated blind scientist and mathematician, was bid to 10 times the high estimate in a Dominic Winter (20% buyer’s premium) general clear-out sale.

Bumper selection of lots offered in Gloucestershire auction house Dominic Winter provides wide-ranging array

Running to 600 lots, a sale held by Dominic Winter (20% buyer’s premium) included a great many maps and prints alongside books.

The final part of dealer Jack Webb's collection displayed his passion for military photographs, especially daguerreotypes, ambrotypes and cartes de visite.

A propellor hauled up by a fisherman proved to have an important link to Dambusters leader Guy Gibson and is now coming up at auction, as ATG reports in a wider look at the militaria market

Two Victoria Cross medals awarded during the Indian Mutiny offered by Morton & Eden (20% buyer’s premium) in London sold to the same buyer.

Unpublished work by mathematician John Wallis who was also a major influence in code breaking sells at Dominic Winter

This large silver arm badge was awarded to a late 19th century winner of Doggett’s Coat and Badge Race – the oldest rowing race in the world, held from London Bridge to Cadogan Pier since 1715.

Printed volumes and manuscripts contain many rare works and unusual material

A Rowland Ward replica of a great auk – the flightless seabird that became extinct in the mid 19th century – sold at auction in Gloucestershire for £25,000.

Future president’s 'How to Get Rich' is a curious feature of a bumper summer sales week

The works of French painter André Masson (1896-1987) are regarded as a bridge between Surrealism and Abstract Expressionism.

Wider spectrum of buyers means presenting catalogue entries in greater detail can pay off

Matthias Buchinger (1674-1740), the so-called ‘Little Man of Nuremberg’, was just 2ft 5in (74cm) tall. Born in Ansbach without legs and having truncated arms without fingers, he nonetheless excelled at many occupations associated with physical dexterity.

Spread over two days and running to 600 lots, a very mixed sale held by Dominic Winter (20% buyer’s premium) included Oscar Wilde’s 'The Importance of being Earnest' as one of the literary high spots.