Auctions

Etymologist buys a glossary which provides a rich seam when it comes to English language changes

The only known portrait of the inventor Reverend Edward Barlow (1639-1719) was sold by Bath horology specialist Gardiner Houlgate (20% buyer’s premium) earlier this summer.

A signed postcard of Oscar Wilde from an image by Alfred Ellis of Baker Street impressed in a timed online sale at Cheffins (25% buyer’s premium).

Among the bidders’ favourites at the sale of antiques on May 16-23 at Kinsky (30% buyer’s premium) in Vienna was a highly ornate, mid-16th century German or Austrian forged iron padlock with key.

Piece made by St Petersburg factory was produced to mark 1827 allied triumph over Ottoman forces

During Edward Belcher’s fruitless two-year search for the lost Franklin expedition from 1852-54, many attempts were made to communicate with Inuit hunters in the hope they would have news of Franklin’s men.

Hard to believe perhaps in today’s glamorous world of the Champions League, but the great Ferenc Puskás (1927-2006) and Real Madrid once graced the turf of Scottish football club Kilmarnock.

According to tradition, supported by handwritten documents, this 19th century, gold-mounted micromosaic brooch was given by Prussian King Frederick William III to his second wife Auguste von Harrach, Princess of Liegnitz.

Even though the Austro-Hungarian monarchy was abolished in 1918, there is still no shortage of nostalgic buyers for memorabilia and relics from the House of Habsburg.

As with many popular film and TV brands such as James Bond and The Avengers, manufacturers were eager to cash in on Thunderbirds with an array of merchandise.

Modern-day observers of the Scottish football scene could be forgiven for thinking that Celtic dominance is perfectly normal.

This classic showman’s living van was made in c.1935 by Hurst’s of Retford for Charles Tuby of Doncaster.

A trio of racing car models captures the excitement of 20th century land speed record attempts.

Textiles from the nomadic Tekke tribe of Turkestan were highly sought after at Rippon Boswell’s (25% buyer’s premium) May 31 auction in Wiesbaden.

Auctions like this don’t come along often these days.

Werner watercolour underlines importance of quality local consignments to regional salerooms

The ‘T’ on the front of this rather grand Victorian or Edwardian fire brigade helmet probably proved the difference when it came to demand.

When the situation demanded it, German consular officials in the tropics were required to wear a ceremonial helmet.