Features

The first American Civil War playset produced by Marx came in 1958 but in 1961 a real blockbuster version appeared: the Giant Blue and Gray Battle Set.

In September 2020, Soulis Auctions knocked down record prices at a sale of the Richard and Valerie Tucker collection of carnival shooting gallery targets.

Signed jewels by contemporary and historic makers come to auction as part of Elmwood’s first ‘Winter Luxury Week’.

This rare Rolex reference 6238 was one made for the Japanese market in 1965.

Kashmir sapphires have acquired a near-legendary status, due to their lustrous cornflower colour, soft velvety texture and extreme rarity.

A selection of antique and vintage jewels and watches on a £500 budget that are perfect for gift giving this season

Raymond Templier (1891-1968) came from a traditional Parisian jewellery family but became one of a small group of designers dubbed ‘bijoutiers-artistes’ or artist jewellers.

This gothic revival gold and enamel 'artist's jewel' made by the Birmingham metalworkers Hardman and Co is very similar to one given by architect Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin (1812-52) to his third wife Jane Knill.

Bonhams’ London Jewels sale on September 21 was topped by this Chaumet diamond necklace.

The forthcoming sale of a collection of around 100 silver mustard pots in Newcastle highlights the connection between the northeast and the rise of the commercial trade in English mustard

Chiswick Auctions’ most successful silver sale to date on October 11 included a George II teapot of American colonial interest.

The late Jean Louis Chameroy (1946-2020) was born in the city of Troyes in France but moved to the London in 1960s.

The dealer ‘hub’ of Lillie Road is renowned among interior designers but now is the time to spread the word

A rare 17th century Chinese bronze naval cannon guided at £30,000-50,000 made £165,000 in a Somerset saleroom.

The Penguin Bookshelf was a collaboration between Penguin Books and the London furniture-maker Beaver and Tapley. The design was debuted to retailers at the 1955 Furniture Exhibition when something close to 3000 orders were placed.

The Tarleton helmet was named after the dashing but ruthless Sir Banastre Tarleton (1754-1833), who commanded the British Legion during the American War of Independence.

Stellar English, Indian and Turkish pieces are promised at Olympia Auctions on December 6 in west London.

A childhood in Wiltshire partly spent picking up ammunition lying around as a result of the Allied preparations for D-Day helped to spark Alexander Jeremy Peckover Penrose’s (known as Jerry) interest in firearms.

A £2m collection of English country house furnishings from Ombersley Court, a Grade I-listed country house near Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire, comes for sale at Christie’s this month.

Stowmarket firm Bishop & Miller holds a timed online sale of 104 picture frames that ends on November 19.