UK

A long time ago, way before music downloads came onto the scene, the latest technology involved phonographs, graphophones and gramophones. Not to mention the phonautograph, of course.

The mysterious history of the Koh-i Noor diamond will be revealed during the Hay Festival by authors of a new book.

Stephen Fry and Dan Cruickshank were among the guests who turned up to last night’s party at Maggs Bros to open the book dealer’s new premises in London’s Bedford Square.

Times change. While tobacco has now assumed a Social Evil status up there with North Korea, not so long ago children would be proudly displayed in an advert clutching a bunch of fags with the words ‘Mummy’s favourite’ underneath.

If Royal Flying Corps medals are out of your price range, or you want to collect something a bit different, two recent lots show that honours are not the only option for auction purchases.

Police are appealing to the trade to help find a number of bronze statues that were stolen from an antiques dealer in Bath.

The price of amber necklaces soared in 2013 and top prices are still being achieved at auction, often valuing the natural untreated beads at twice that of 24ct gold.

Certain topics or people are so popular with collectors that they virtually become a market in themselves. Take Sir Winston Churchill for instance.

A ring bought at a car boot sale for £10 in the 1980s has been estimated at £250,000-350,000 and is heading to a Sotheby’s auction.

Lot 1234 made it count for London auction house Dix Noonan Webb despite lurking towards the back of an extensive two-day sale.

The top regional Asian art price at auction this season was reached by Duke’s of Dorchester on May 18 when Wu Guanzhong’s (1919-2010) scroll painting White Birches on Mount Chang Bai (Zhangbai) sold at £500,000 (plus buyer's premium).