North America

An unexpected assist from the Richard Strauss Institute helped Clarke Auction Gallery (25% buyer’s premium) to hammer down a musical manuscript page for $9500 (£6970) against a guide of $800-1200.

An 1858 portrait by Solomon Alexander Hart (1806-81), arguably the most important Jewish painter in England in the 19th century, more than doubled its high estimate in a sale in Clarence, New York.

A pair of wrought iron Arts & Crafts sunflower andirons were offered at Copake Auctions (20% buyer’s premium) in Copake, New York with an appealing guide of $150-250.

A pair of mid 19th century Chinese export paintings of Macao hammered for Can$65,000 (£35,065) at AH Wilkens (22% buyer’s premium) in Toronto, Canada.

Three Arts & Crafts oak furnishings that Charles Rohlfs (1853-1936) created for the 1901 Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York, turned in strong performances at Toomey & Co (27% buyer’s premium) in Chicago, Illinois.

Two markedly different publications prompted contests from quite different groups of bidders at Millea Bros (25% buyer’s premium) in Boonton, New Jersey, the second day of a three-day auction at the house.

Piece produced by jobbing London silversmith Simmons was owned by one of Washington’s favourites

A pair of c.1780 George III giltwood mirrors, each measuring 4ft 7in x 2ft 6in (1.39m x 76cm), hammered for $32,500 (£24,035) against a guide of $15,000-20,000 at Roland NY (25% buyer’s premium).

Second printing of Robert Hooke’s most famous work offered from Ohio collection boasts an impressive provenance

Two early furnishings by the Dutch designer and architect Gerrit Rietveld (1888-1964) beat their guides at Wright (27% buyer’s premium) in Chicago, Illinois. Both came with primary provenances.

A cherished piece of golf history came for sale at Carlsen Gallery (20% buyer’s premium) in Freehold, New York, and commanded a significant sum.

A claret jug combining the talents of Stevens & Williams of Stourbridge in the UK and US firm Duhme & Co from Cincinnati crushed its $2000-3000 guide to hammer for $35,000 (£25,890).

Auction house expert eulogises about a French 17th century piece of furniture ‘jewel for the eyes’

Buyers from mainland China propelled Asian lots at Quinn’s Auction Galleries (27% buyer’s premium) far beyond their guides at a recent sale in Falls Church, Virginia.

The latest Collector’s Cabinet auction at Freeman’s Hindman in Chicago included this remarkable gold, jewelled and enamelled ‘surprise’ ring.

Morphy Auctions will take over Old Toy Soldier Auctions (OTSA) following the death of founder Ray Haradin.