UK

Priced on the cover at nine pence, it was a British copy of a Marvel comic of 1983, one that saw the first appearance of the mighty Thor, that led the bidding at £6300 in the comics section of a July 21-22 sale held by Fieldings (24% buyer’s premium).

Despite the issues of supply affecting the market, odd pockets of success were evident at the latest Old Master sales in London.

Chattels auction houses operating at the lower end of the market are being told to close client accounts as the banking sector tightens its rules.

Among the most desirable examples of Victorian majolica is the series of whimsical teapots produced by factories in the second half of the 19th century.

A recent sale at Aldridges of Bath (20% buyer’s premium) included a fine George IV period mahogany extending dining table.

Firsts: London’s Rare Books Fair has added an impressive 49 dealers to the roster for its 65th edition thanks to an influx of international traders.

Clock dealer Ben Wright has sold an important English golden age clock following its appearance in the pages and front cover of the Antiques Trade Gazette.

Bonhams is to offer what it calls ‘the finest collection of Welsh treen ever presented’ for auction next month.

A large plaster relief panel executed by Pilkington’s, designed by Gordon Forsyth and modelled by Richard Joyce, will be offered at Gildings next month.

This glass tumbler, pictured below, engraved with a crowned 'N' over a band of diamond cutting, contained in a tooled leather cylindrical travelling case, is of a type that accompanied Napoleon on campaign.

A composite German full armour, c.1500-10, from a European Collection was one of the highlights of Thomas Del Mar’s (25% buyer’s premium) sale of Fine Antique Arms, Armour & Militaria held at Olympia Auctions on June 29.

A selection of eight upcoming lots from auctions taking place around the UK.

Holiday weekend events previewed – including news of an organiser handing over the reins

Admiral of the Fleet Sir John Kelly (1871-1936) had a decent wartime career in the Royal Navy but it was a peacetime crisis that also showed his skills: the Invergordon Mutiny.

The French silver-gilt table knife and fork shown here, c.1810, is from a service made for Napoleon Bonaparte.

The autobiography title Rake’s Progress: The Gay and Dramatic – Adventures of Major Denis Rake MC, the Reluctant British War-Time Agent perfectly sums up the story behind a group of medals on offer in East Sussex.

Although the wearer of a First World War tunic sold by Kent auction house C&T (22% buyer’s premium) on July 26-28 was not listed, it gave plenty of clues to his service.

James Eaton runs Alastor Rare Books specialising in British and continental antiquarian books, manuscripts, archives, and ephemera, with an emphasis on Italian and French imprints.