News

Brightwells Fine Art, the Leominster based saleroom covering the Marches, Wales and the West Midlands announced their turnover for the year ended December 2003, which, including premium, was £3.16m.

The Well-worn Interior by Robin Forster and Tim Whittaker, published by Thames & Hudson. ISBN 050051139X. £24.95hb

New company threatens duped dealers: The many victims of the misleading fair guides that landed dealers and auctioneers with bills for hundreds of pounds are being contacted again by an aggressive overseas debt collection company.

EXCEPTING the Norwich Union (one-day) cup that the team picked up a couple of seasons back, trophies for Kent County Cricket Club have been a bit thin on the ground in recent years. By today’s county standards, a St Lawrence (Canterbury) gate of 4000 is considered a good one and – though Sussex picked up the county title last year – today it is Surrey that remain the side to beat.

Starting to Collect Antique Jewellery by John Benjamin, published by the Antique Collectors Club. ISBN 1851494073 £12.50hb

The highlight of the month’s auction calendar, this remarkable Italian micromosaic and ormolu mounted centre table shot to £250,000 (plus 15/10 per cent buyer’s premium) at Dreweatt Neate of Donnington Priory, Newbury on January 21.

The Art of William Heath Robinson by Geoffrey Beare, published by Paul Holberton for the Dulwich Picture Gallery. ISBN 1898519234 £24.99pb