US

A Gorham Martelé silver punch bowl made for the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St Louis sold for $120,000 (£89,700) at Freeman’s in Chicago.

An 1860s musical manuscript by German composer Johannes Brahms (1833-97), entirely in his hand, came for sale at Lion Heart Autographs (22% buyer’s premium).

While Winnie-the-Pooh works by the renowned illustrator generate most demand, others for Grahame books are also very desirable

Made c.1880, this Wedgwood majolica model of a kingfisher is a ‘rara avis’, with only a handful known.

A fine and rare example of Cassandre’s advertising work came up at Swann Auction Galleries (32/27/17% buyer’s premium) of New York.

A recent sale at Andrew Jones Auctions (25% buyer’s premium) in Los Angeles included a textbook George II parcel gilt and black japanned bureau cabinet.

A portrait of Hannah Rhea Caldwell (1767-1825) by artist Gilbert Stuart (1755-1828) was among the standout lots in a three-day late June sale at Thomaston Place Auction Galleries (25% buyer’s premium).

“During the 1890s, when bicycles were one of the most advertised products in the poster world, the fantastic concept that a bicycle was powerful enough to propel a rider into space was used surprisingly often.”

Freedom Auction Company (25% buyer’s premium) in Sarasota, Florida, conducts regular sales of circus memorabilia.

For centuries, the Imperial Glass Factory at St Petersburg catered to Russian royalty, producing top-of-the-line glass wares that were good enough to feature in their daughters’ dowries.

Example dating to 1662 might have touted English master craftswoman’s skills

Cross collecting helps plate from Washington’s Order of the Cincinatti service to take a six-figure price

Bertoia Auctions (25% buyer’s premium) did not hold back when discussing a Bing gauge 4 live steam toy locomotive with tender.

Before the start of a recent sale at Quinn’s Auction Galleries (27% buyer’s premium), staff members of the Falls Church, Virginia, auction house speculated on which lot would outsell the rest.

A sale of Meissen at Revere Auctions (25% buyer’s premium) held in St Paul, Minnesota, included some prized pieces.

The He-Man film out now has struggled at the box office but the character in a smaller form amazed saleroom bidders.