Auctions

Often remembered as the matriarch of an artistically gifted family, Emma Minnie Boyd (1858-1936) was an artist in her own right, exhibiting prolifically in Australia and also at the Royal Academy of Art in London.

ATG’s pick of auction lots bought by internet bidders on thesaleroom.com, featuring both the highest prices over-estimate and the top prices paid online.

Calendars listing details of prisoners in a 17th century gaol prove popular in North Yorkshire saleroom

‘By the power of Grayskull!’ was the cry in the Masters of the Universe TV cartoon series in the 1980s. Four decades on, that power has taken toy prices to an astonishing new high.

A lot offering five WH Smith enamel advertising signs, c.1930, took the top price as memorabilia from one of the UK’s most enduring and recognisable retail brands came to auction.

The final auction at Pullman House in Saltney, Chester, home of Byrnes since 2003, will be the remarkable collection of 20th century design formed by Philip Clarkson on September 15-16.

A “very fine” bronze helmet of Corinthian type, c.350BC, hammered from a single sheet, with a domed crown, almond-shaped eye cutouts and a prominent nose guard, sold for £32,000 at Apollo Art Auctions (25% buyer’s premium) in London on July 27.

Jacobite highlights from the Scottish Collected sale held by Lyon & Turnbull in Edinburgh

Peter Green’s lyrics for 'Man Of The World' sell at regional auction house

Your Letters pages have recently featured the elaboration of two items purchased from the “contents of a Sussex manor house” auctioned by Burstow & Hewett of Battle, East Sussex, on May 28-29: a Tudor oak stool and a coquilla nut snuffbox depicting Benjamin Franklin (see Auction Reports, ATG No 2702 and Letters, No 2704 & 2706).

Second World War airborne memorabilia is another in-demand section of the militaria market.

Halls’ (24% buyer’s premium) latest Militaria, Naval and Aviation Auction in Shrewsbury offered a tempting selection of lots such as First World War uniforms in decent condition.

Among the many ‘cheap and cheerful’ souvenirs made for fans of the Beatles in the 1960s were lunch boxes and flasks.

When selling football memorabilia such as programmes and match-worn shirts, items linked to renowned and well-supported clubs such as Manchester United will often be the most valuable.