UK

Books fair 'Firsts' got under way on May 15 with around 100 dealers exhibiting at the Saatchi Gallery in London.

Some of the stand-out art and objects to be offered at the third edition of 'Treasure House Fair' this summer have been revealed.

Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy (1780-1854) was clockmaker to George III and also to The Prince Regent, later George IV.

Works coming to auction from artists’ estates give a never-seen-before quality and personal attraction

The two events launched in Kent earlier this year by organiser Paul Ellison of Needful Things Antique Fairs were busy that he has changed to a larger venue.

While few will welcome the news that Bonhams – the last of the major auction houses to hold regular sales Japanese works of art in London – is moving its department to Paris (ATG No 2690), there will be opportunities for UK salerooms that continue to plough this selective but occasionally fruitful furrow.

Here we focus on three events this summer of interest to textiles enthusiasts

Letters found in family archive include first-hand accounts from St Helena in 1821

A Citroën 2CV toy car is not quite as glamorous as a Lotus Esprit, even when the full-size version helps to save James Bond in an epic chase.

Matthew Boulton’s inventory of stock in 1782 lists “1 small figure of Minerva”, according to Nicholas Goodison’s Ormolu: the Work of Matthew Boulton, 1974.

An untitled abstract by Gillian Ayres (1930-2018) was among the works attracting interest from the collection of Simon and Jennifer Murray at Dore & Rees (25% buyer’s premium) in Somerset.

Leading a recent sale at Sheffield Auction Gallery (24% buyer’s premium) was a pair of George III ormolu mounted Derbyshire fluorspar candle vases.

By the time H Turner’s book on billiards came out in 1849 (Northampton, printed for the author by JT Burgess) the game was hundreds of years old – with roots back to the 15th century.

Ship models ruled the waves but railway toys were certainly on track too as two sales held either side of the Pond offered the collection of the late Tony Cuff.

A round-up of art and antiques news from the previous seven days, including the acquisition of Adams Blackrock by Ross's Auctioneers

A miniature map of the Turkish Ottoman Empire is among the items being offered by Sanders of Oxford at London Map Fair on June 7-8.