South-east England

The YZ-branded range of novelties – a whimsical selection of ashtrays, match holders, pipe holders, pipe racks etc fashioned in tropical hardwoods and cherry amber bakelite – was produced by walking stick and cane maker Henry Howell and Company in the 1920s-30s.

The French inventor André Romain Guilmet (1827-92) took out many patents for his ingenious designs including in 1868 the idea for a driving chain on a bicycle.

The Universal Genève Tri-Compax (Ref 222973) is one of the classic post-war chronographs.

The greatest actor of Victorian times and the creator of Dracula were among the notable figures featured in an autograph album sold at Surrey auction house John Nicholson’s (25% buyer’s premium).

A Roman marble bust of the tyrannical Emperor Commodus attracted a flurry of bids at Mallams (25% buyer’s premium) in Oxford.

Focus on two flower paintings created in Kent by different artists but offered at the same local saleroom

Dealer and organiser will take over the reins of the biannual event but still under the Penman banner

Organiser hopes shift to weekend for a monthly event will boost visitor and trader numbers

A British airborne forces smock offered in the C&T (22% buyer’s premium) February 12-13 auction told its own tale thanks to a remarkable discovery concealed within.

Although much less well known than many ‘last stands’, medals for the Wilson’s Patrol in 1893 are prized by collectors

Elise Harris, an antiques dealer in Pangbourne, runs White Door Brocante events held in country house settings in southern England.

John Smart (1838-99) was one of the first artists to focus on golf courses themselves rather than the actual players.

A series of British portraits offered across two different Dreweatts (26/25% buyer’s premium) sales got the new year off to a good start at the Newbury saleroom.

A gentleman (Dukatenscheißer) with his trousers pulled down excreting a gilt metal coin from his bottom or a composition nodder of a grotesque women beating a child might not be for everyone.

Celebrities and politicians are often spotted hunting for antiques at fairs, markets and centres including singer Taylor Swift who is a fan of Portobello Road Market and Boris and Carrie Johnson, seen recently at Sunbury Antiques Market at Kempton Park.