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Sword linked to former emperor is one of the highlights at London sale held by maritime specialist

A Prussian Garde du Corps helmet that might well have once graced parade grounds and palaces took pride of place in an East Yorkshire saleroom.

When a c.1890 May Morris for Morris & Co embroidery came up for sale at Toomey & Co (27% buyer’s premium), the timing was less than perfect for the midwestern lady who was destined to become its new owner.

An ivory netsuke described as ‘after Tomotada of Kyoto’ hammered for Can$42,000 (£22,840) against an estimate of Can$1200-1800 at Harrington’s (25% buyer’s premium) in Ontario.

Terence Woodcock, known as Terry, will be retiring from his role as chief auctioneer at Unique Auctions and handing over the business he founded in 2005.

This distinctive domed form of this carefully forged helmet gives a big clue to its origin.

A fine association copy of Ian Fleming’s You Only Live Twice was sold by Reeman Dansie (25% buyer’s premium) in Colchester on April 30.

Nicholas Bowlby was a dealer of the old school, a character of great warmth and wit, naturally inquisitive with an eclectic taste that ran from early watercolours to contemporary abstracts.

In the early to mid-1930s, the German company Saalheimer & Strauss produced four versions of tin litho banks with an image of Mickey Mouse on them.

A George III cast bronze two-pounder sold on June 3 came from a group of 12 cast for a commission by second Viscount William Courtenay, most probably for his private yacht Dolphin in 1775. The cannon was later removed to Powderham Castle, Devon.

A rare Iznik pottery tile made for the Çini li Hamam bathhouse during the reign of Suleyman the Magnificent sold for £195,000 at Lyon & Turnbull.