Auction Reports

This Edwardian diorama offered by Smiths of Newent (20% buyer’s premium) in Gloucestershire depicts a locksmith’s shop.

“The Long Range Desert Group were masters of navigation and one of Britain’s most famous special forces. They owed much of their success to the scientific talents of their first commander, Major Ralph Bagnold, whose sun-compass invention revolutionised desert travel.” (National Army Museum.)

Two examples of substantial model presentation cannon came up at different salerooms recently.

The highest price at auction for a Bristol orphanage sampler was registered at Mellors & Kirk (24% buyer’s premium) in Nottingham.

Although born in the La Croix-Rousse district of Lyon, Antoine François Jean Claudet (1797-1867) is best known for his contribution to the history of British photography.

Premium-inclusive total achieved in Edinburgh underlines the quality of lots on offer

A focus on four Clarice Cliff chargers sold in October at two different salerooms

A rare version of Eric Ravilious' Child’s Handkerchief print and a scarcely seen Doulton figure emerged in North Yorkshire

Offered by Thomas Miller (24% buyer’s premium) in Newcastle was a large silver medal struck to mark the maiden voyage of the SS Normandie from Le Havre to New York on May 29, 1935. She took the Blue Riband at the first attempt.

Edwin Lutyens and Gertrude Jekyll were both closely associated with Country Life magazine in its formative years from 1897.

The pictorial enamel signs advertising Webb’s Seeds of Stourbridge are some of the most popular on the UK market.

Comprehensive group of medical records from East India Company surgeon star in eclectic sale

A mandolin musical box by François Nicole (b.1766) delighted bidders at Lawrences (25% buyer’s premium) of Crewkerne, selling for £22,000 against a £8000-12,000 estimate.

The latest sale of Objects of Vertu at Toovey’s (24.5% buyer’s premium) in West Sussex included two impressive examples of mid-20th century Australian goldsmithing.

Barrie Lewis, a Midlands wholesaler of cakes, biscuits and confectionery, began collecting old biscuit tins after he received one as a birthday gift in the early 1980s.

This 18th century mahogany card table was part of a collection of furniture from Earnshill House in Somerset offered by Busby (25% buyer’s premium) in Bridport, Dorset.

A set of six rare Scottish provincial silver trefid spoons dating from c.1686 were not only among the earliest Glasgow-made spoons recorded, but also appeared to be the only extant work by the goldsmith George Luke.

Encouraging results of two-day sale in Colchester suggests the traditional quiet period provides good selling opportunities

An attractive lot catalogued as “a fine and rare pair of 18th century European porcelain flower pots probably Meissen or Sèvres … with porcelain flowers. 7in (17 cm) high” appeared at Hampshire saleroom Hannam’s (23% buyer’s premium) on August 20.