UK

A single-lot auction conducted by the sealed bids process has set a record for a transfer printed pot lid.

Works coming fresh to the market from British aristocratic sources were once a staple of London Old Master sales.

A postcard carried on the world’s first official airmail flight came up for auction in Staffordshire.

Alexa Robins, organiser of AFC Fairs’ big antiques and vintage event at the Royal Cornwall Showground, is very excited by news of a new fair she’s been asked to put on.

Antiques furniture dealer Philip Crosthwaite’s popular monthly antiques fair in Norwich will feature Richard Goddard, who sells antique vintage tools for a worthy social cause.

While a few examples survive from the 17th and the very early 18th century, teacups and saucers are a rare form in Georgian silver.

A fine example of Viking metalworking was offered at Noonans (24% buyer’s premium) in Mayfair on July 18.

Thousands of items are available to buy from dealers online. Here we pick out one that caught our eye this week.

William Lenthall (1591-1662) was chosen as Speaker of the Houses of Commons at the beginning of the Long Parliament in 1640.

A usually quiet August was dramatically awakened by a series of sleepers that emerged at three UK regional auction houses.

Most terracotta plank figures from Bronze Age Cyprus have been found in Lapithos, a once important coastal centre on the north of the island.

Strong results and supply boost the market but challenges remain with bidders highly selective

Account of the discovery of Tutankhamen’s tomb comes as rare set with dust jackets intact

Firmly in the British jingoistic ‘boy’s own’ tradition, a collection of Commando comic books turned heads when offered at Stourbridge saleroom Fieldings last year (see ATG No 2556).

The ivory-made launching mallet and silver casket from the ill-fated RMS Empress of Ireland came for sale at McTear’s (24% buyer’s premium) in Glasgow.

Ornate creation from Gothic fantasy comes for sale as part of the Bayreuth collection

The Vinyl Cape Jawa was the first Star Wars action figure to assume mythic status among collectors.

This Heal’s set of garden furniture added seasonal warmth to Great Western Auctions’ (24% buyer’s premium) Glasgow sale.

A fine Oscar Wilde letter sold for £16,000 at Dawsons (25% buyer’s premium) in Maidenhead on June 29.