Auctions

The records for JK Rowling’s early work sold at auction keep tumbling, both hardback and paperback

The highlight of the latest Country House sale held by Duggleby Stephenson (25% buyer’s premium) of York was the part contents of the Kirkham Hall estate in North Yorkshire.

Pitched with an estimate of £2000-3000, a Matchbox bus offered by Oberon (20% buyer’s premium) clearly had something special for collectors to savour.

Our regular listing of UK and Irish books and works on paper sales

Some of the rarest coins in world numismatics were sold at auction in New York last week. Auction sessions spanning seven consecutive days (January 12-18) were held as part of the annual New York International Numismatic Convention, the US’s largest and most prestigious numismatic event known as NYINC.

More pieces from Britain’s biggest collection of breadboards were sold by Canterbury Auction Galleries (25% buyer’s premium) at the end of last year.

Poignant paintings make highest auction sum for the artist outside London

Cases boasting bronze lions decoration proved popular and were produced for two decades

A set of JRR Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings realised a premium-inclusive $250,000 (£187,500) at Heritage Auctions of Dallas.

This diminutive and rare clock from the Liberty & Co Cymric range is The Sigurd (model No 579), a typical Archibald Knox creation named after the dragon-slaying hero of Norse mythology.

Stanley Gibbons Baldwin’s is holding a British & World Banknotes sale on January 29, its first for several years.

Our regular listing of UK and Irish books and works on paper sales

A recent sale at Marion Antique Auctions (20% buyer’s premium) in Marion, Massachusetts included a large Meiji vase by Kanamori Soshichi (1821-92).

A notable Irish hunting painting that emerged at Fonsie Mealy (25% buyer’s premium including VAT) at the end of last year drew “very spirited bidding” according to the Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny saleroom.