Auctioneers

In a world in which American superhero comics featuring Superman, Batman and other characters regularly sell for substantial six and seven-figure sums, it is really quite refreshing to be reminded of more modestly priced British rarities.

Fresh generations of the famous family added to hall’s collections to create eclectic mix. Jonathan Franks reports.

Two very different lots from a November 10 sale held by Dominic Winter (20% buyer’s premium) are noted here.

The full fall-out from the record-breaking Dr John P Driscoll sale of British studio ceramics is yet to be understood.

Modern British sculptures were the main attraction at Wotton Auction Rooms’ (18% buyer’s premium) recent sale at Stouts Hill Manor.

The undoubted star of the November 24 sale at Tennants (20% buyer’s premium) was the early 15th century folding almanac, or girdle book, that took £95,000.

Further lots from ancient country seat star alongside a stellar specialist collection.

Left out of the Christie’s sale 20 years ago, but far from remnant-bag pieces, the 11 early needlework items from the Sir Frederick Richmond collection offered at Gildings (20% buyer’s premium) attracted keen interest from UK collectors and specialist dealers.

While the Tiepolo drawing caused the biggest stir at the Roseberys (25/20/12% buyer’s premium) November 17 sale (see separate story in this edition), there were several other notable results, writes Jonathan Franks.

‘Venus’ figurines from the Upper Paleolithic are recognised as some of the earliest works of prehistoric art.

“The owner had no idea what they were or what they might be worth. Not a Scooby.”

It is thought that Giovanni Battista Tiepolo (1696-1770) executed at least a hundred drawings featuring the Punchinelli, the hook-nosed, humpbacked clowns which were central to the commedia dell’arte. Jonathan Franks reports.

Many of the unsung British heroes of both world wars served in the royal and merchant navies carrying and protecting supplies to Russia or the USSR.

On May 6, 1954 - the day British middle-distance athlete Roger Bannister (1929-2018) ran the first ever sub-four-minute mile - there were five official timekeepers plus a sixth watch manned by race commentator Norris McWhirter (1925-2004).

Single page was used as a promotion for this classic Conan Doyle work.

Despite – or perhaps because of – the pandemic, three of the top international auction houses posted record or near-record results for 2021.

On November 25 Dix Noonan Webb sold the first tranche of banknotes from the enormous collection of the late Gus Mac Amhlaigh of Dublin.

Successful £15.3m campaign secures British literature treasures including Brontë family manuscripts.