International

This Qing dynasty imperial court robe embroidered with roundels of five clawed dragons on a dark blue ground will feature at Sarasota Estate Auction.

Dr Cyril Mazansky, a retired radiologist in the US, is a historian and author with a focus on UK history.

On May 25 Hindman holds its latest sale of Antiquities and Ancient Art in Chicago.

Christie’s first major auction series since raising its buyer’s premium last month kicked off in New York offering Impressionist and Modern art.

Early English plays provided the principal attraction in a US saleroom

Potter & Potter’s second books auction of the year includes Charles Dickens’ (1812-70) Great Expectations estimated at $8000-12,000.

A section of period costume and textiles that featured in a general sale at Thierry de Maigret (24% buyer’s premium) on March 24 produced some notable results for several well-preserved examples of 18th century costume.

TEFAF New York returns this year to the Park Avenue Armory from May 12-16.

A handwritten note signed twice by Abraham Lincoln written just days before winning the 1864 presidential election was the toast of University Archives’ (25% buyer’s premium) April 19 online auction in Connecticut.

Involving a string of spectacular works, the saga of the collapsed French firm is worth a novel itself

A rare souvenir, an example of correspondence between two key figures in the French Revolution, was one of the highlights of a sale held by Osenat (25% buyer’s premium) in Versailles on March 12.

The first 90 or so lots in Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr’s (27.5/26/20/14.5% buyer’s premium) sale of Islamic and Indian Art held in Paris on April 6 were the property of a Royal collection.

'A Magician Among the Spirits' by Harry Houdini conjured up one of the highest prices in the Potter & Potter (20% buyer’s premium) Houdini-related sale in Chicago on April 8 when it sold for $15,000 (£12,095).

The Negro Motorist Green Book, first produced in 1936, was the indispensable guide for African-American families travelling.

Disputed sculpture was given the thumbs-up by the French emperor and then greatly admired

Colonial French-influenced Vietnamese painting continues to be a strong market performer with examples regularly turning up in French auctions and making significant sums.

François Pierre de la Varenne (1618-78) is the chef credited with bringing French cuisine into the modern era.

This work by Henry Fuseli (1741-1825) is a study for the figure of a kneeling figure of Caractacus’ daughter in the artist’s painting 'Caractacus’ speech before Claudius'.

Edward Donovan’s 'The Natural History of British Fishes', a 19th century colour plate-illustrated British ichthyological work, featured in the Sporting & Travel Books sale held by Doyle (26/21/15% buyer’s premium) in New York earlier this year.

An early 16th century illustrated edition Aesop was the highlight of an auction of books held by Giquello & Associes (25/20.5/17% buyer’s premium) in Paris on April 14.