Auctions

An extensive collection of automobilia housed in not one but two Cambridgeshire barns included an eye-catching example of the most sought-after British enamel signs.

The first mention of plans for a Wedgwood earthenware chess set occurs in a bill from a 30-year-old John Flaxman dated March 8, 1785.

Eighteenth century Meissen bought by a porcelain enthusiast from east Asia comes for sale at Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr in Paris on April 22.

A large group of works by George Sherwood Hunter (1846-1919) that had remained in the artist’s family for over a century was dispersed at two sales conducted by Anderson & Garland (25% buyer’s premium) over the last six months.

English religious manuscript and Italian academic diplomas catch the eye

Works in demand at auction do not always reflect the subjects and themes that artists are best known for

A first edition, first impression of The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien is a valuable proposition even without its dustjacket.

A record price will always stand out, but this comprehensive collection also boasted a much wider range of strong prices underlying a buoyant market

A rare surviving group of unseen early aviation photographs documenting the pioneering long-distance flights of Italian pilot Carlo Francesco ‘Francis’ Lombardi (1897-1983) was offered at Roseberys (26/25/20% buyer’s premium) in south London on March 11.

This British Aero Lubricants AMG No 1 motor oil can estimated at £100-150 sold instead via thesaleroom.com for a £1700 hammer price.

Our selection of stand-out lots from seven upcoming auctions

With the most sought-after Lalique glass car mascots making prices up to tens of thousands of pounds at auction, collecting in that market can become very expensive very quickly if you want a wide range.

First editions of the books that made Nancy Mitford’s name – The Pursuit of Love (1945) and Love in a Cold Climate (1949) – sold for £1600 at Reeman Dansie (25% buyer’s premium) in Colchester.

First introduced by British Railways in 1962-64 and withdrawn between 1973-77, the short-lived Class 52 diesel hydraulic locomotive has gained something of a cult status among enthusiasts.

Specialist dealer sells items from his collection in two-day auction as he heads towards semi-retirement