Print Edition

MADAM – I have been dealing in Oriental antiques for almost 50 years and have been a supporter of the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) for most of this time.

Given the GlaxoSmithKline link, it was not a surprise to see four apothecaries’ cabinets among the contents of North Mymms Park sold at Sworders.

The stellar sporting entry to John Nicholson’s (24% buyer’s premium) sale in Haslemere on April 25 was an early oil by the prolific equine painter, John E Ferneley (1782-1860).

Richard Green takes full advantage of its two New Bond Street galleries this month with a pair of exhibitions, both focusing on 20th century painting.

Marcus Budgen is to head the Spink medals department after the departure of David Erskine-Hill.

ATG’s selection of auction lots bought by internet bidders on thesaleroom.com from the period April 26-May 2, 2018. This includes both the highest prices over estimate and the top prices paid online.

Our weekly selection from salerooms and dealerships.

A late 19th century Art Nouveau centrepiece is one of the highlights at Quittenbaum’s Munich sale on May 15.

Pride comes before a fall and in the case of Napoleon, Smolensk came before Moscow. On May 18 Ketterer Kunst is selling a 2ft x 2ft 7in (60 x 79cm) scene of Napoleon observing the burning city of Smolensk.

ATG’s calendar of book auctions taking place in the UK and Ireland from May 8-18, 2018.

“When I come to look back at my career, I think this sale will have been the highlight,” said auctioneer Guy Schooling, 40 years at the rostrum, after selling the contents of Hertfordshire country house North Mymms Park.

The increasing market interest in modern designer silver was well catered for among the contents of North Mymms Park offered at Sworders.

Those who worry about the art and antiques market’s ability to react to its big three challenges – digitisation, changing tastes and an ageing collector base – should look to the books, maps and prints sector and take heart.

How do aspiring dealers acquire the skills and expertise needed to enter the rare books or works on paper trade?

Kelmscott’s finest achievement is probably its edition of 'The Works of Geoffrey Chaucer'. It is described in Printing and the Mind of Man as “perfect… both in design and in the quality of the printing”.

Limited to 111 copies (105 on paper and six on vellum), ‘The Ashendene Dante’ is the rarest of the three magnum opi of the English private press movement.

ATG's pick of books and works on paper recently sold at auction...

It’s a big year for London’s leading light in the international rare books calendar, writes Kate Quill. This month’s 'The ABA Rare Book Fair London' on May 24-26 – the flagship of the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association (ABA) – is the 61st but the first year at Battersea Evolution, in south-west London.

As we approach the second anniversary of our inaugural 2016 auction, we are again delighted to be the sponsors of Antique Trade Gazette’s ‘Books, Maps & Prints’ supplement.

In a journey starting with the Great Fire and taking in the 1980s, dealer Tim Bryars explores the collecting market for London maps