London

Inscriptions and annotations can make a massive difference to value

Etc Fairs has announced the new London location for the three autumn book events which have been changed venues due to renovation work at the Holiday Inn in Bloomsbury, their regular spot.

Noonans’ Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria sale on April 9 included a rare group of medals awarded to Lancaster Bomber pilot, Warrant Officer, later Flight Lieutenant, Edward Sydney Ellis of 625 Squadron of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.

This Wedgwood creamware tea or punch pot commemorating the launch of a gun ship at Deptford in 1784 was among 29 lots from the collection of The Worshipful Company of Shipwrights sold by specialist Charles Miller.

The etching 'A View in America in 1778' is a satire on the progress of the American Revolution.

The British War Medal 1914-20 is not exactly uncommon. Issued in the First World War, about 6.5 million were struck in silver and 110,000 in bronze.

Piece of furniture mentioned in reference books is just of the potential purchases at Dec Fair

Both parts of the excellent Jason Pilalas collection delivered suitably impressive results for London auction house Noonans

It’s probably no surprise that, even in the days of digital first, printed catalogues are still loved by rare book collectors.

Veteran antique arms and armour specialist David Williams is joining the Olympia Auctions team as senior consultant.

From elegant furniture by Scandinavian designers to stand-out lamps and decorative pieces… the lines, materials and simplicity that characterise interiors items from the mid-century modern period appeal to a wide range of buyers.

As this year commemorates VE and VJ days, there are likely to be even more collectors and dealers than usual converging on the first of 2025’s biannual Britannia Medal Fairs on Sunday, May 11.