South-west England

The latest Books & Works on Paper sale at Lays in Penzance included a copy of the first printed book entirely dedicated to golf: Thomas Mathison’s ‘The Goff. An Heroi-Comical Poem. In three Cantos....’

A painting by Dame Laura Knight (1877-1970) depicting hop pickers more than doubled estimate when it appeared at Gloucestershire saleroom Kinghams (25% buyer’s premium) last month.

The first lot offered in the latest Fine Art, Antiques & Collectors’ Items sale held at Adam Partridge (20% buyer’s premium) in Devon was simply described as ‘a group of five 16th century carved oak figures of saints …’.

Appearing at Adam Partridge’s Devon saleroom this September is a truly exciting discovery. A finely preserved and virtually complete Ichthyosaur, dug up in Charmouth, is being offered for the first time at an estimate of £10,000-15,000.

A whimsical Art Deco ‘YZ’ cherry amber faturan nut bird ashtray, manufactured by Henry Howell & Co and retailed by Dunhill, drew eyecatching competition at a recent Gloucestershire sale.

A head-and-shoulders marble bust of Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson (1758-1805) more than doubled its top estimate at a sale in Cirencester.

A Victorian taxidermy display of now extinct huia birds from New Zealand sold at Kinghams Auctioneers for £38,000 (plus 25% buyer’s premium) to a room bidder.

Painter and educator Barrie Cook (1929-2020) was an adopted son of Cornwall.

Duke's Summer Auction in Dorchester featured a remarkable notice issued by the White Star Line to passengers on board the RMS Olympic after the sinking of its sister ship, the Titanic.

A display of huia birds from New Zealand will find its way to Moreton-in-Marsh on July 25

Rare copy of the most censored record in British history sells at Wiltshire auction

The size 10½ shoes were worn on the Steve Allen Show in 1956 and carried an estimate of £100,000-120,000.

The black leather lace-up shoes with pointed toes worn for 1991 music video ‘I’m Going Slightly Mad’.

How the personal story of an Anzac war hero boosted the value of a common group of medals offered at auction to 30 times the top estimate.