West Midlands

A monumental and important William De Morgan architectural tile panel with an exceptional provenance has sold for £65,000 in Stourbridge.

The velocipede is considered the direct forerunner to the modern bicycle, especially a series of French examples produced with pedals, cranks and handlebars in the 1850s-60s.

Since Patek Philippe brought out the Calatrava in the 1930s, the watch – with time-only functionality and an austere circular case shape – has been produced in many different dial and case variants.

Dealers were out in force to buy from other traders at an annual showground event praised as busy but friendly

Turned down by several publishers, Beatrix Potter shouldered the expense of privately printing The Tale of Peter Rabbit with Strangeways Printers in December 1901.

Anniversary of the movement inspires exhibitors attending the next show at Birmingham's NEC

“I’ve been an auctioneer for 30 years now and it took me two hours to sell 34 lots – so you get the idea of the interest and levels of bidders.”

In terms of Modern British pictures sold around the country over the last year, a number of highlights came late in the day.

The first two great collections of Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories were gathered from their original appearances in Strand Magazine by its proprietor George Newnes (Southampton Street and Exeter Street, Strand, London) and issued in book form.

A previously unseen Winnie the Pooh archive is on offer at Stourbridge saleroom Fieldings on January 16.

Emma Rutherford admits to being “a very boring child” who became fascinated by history at the age of 10 or 11.

Pin cushions, including an early 19th century example made from a silk dress believed to be worn by Caroline of Brunswick (1768-1821), were a major feature of a recent auction at Warwick-based Bleasdales’ (20% buyer’s premium).

With new visitors, international buyers returning and a fresh look at events, the mood is upbeat

Royal Doulton design was produced on response to popular demand for eastern-style ceramics

Latest version of the NEC art and antiques event has established firm roots and is winning warm praise