Our selection of 10 lots at upcoming auctions

Joseph Towne (1806-79) is best known for pioneering the creation of anatomical wax models, many of which are now displayed at a medical museum at Guy’s Hospital in London.

Refugees in Chelsea was written by Henry James (1843-1916) to help the local Chelsea Committee to raise funds in the US to start an industry for crippled Belgian soldiers.

Our selection of lots from seven upcoming auctions

A postcard carried on the world’s first official airmail flight came up for auction in Staffordshire.

Firmly in the British jingoistic ‘boy’s own’ tradition, a collection of Commando comic books turned heads when offered at Stourbridge saleroom Fieldings last year (see ATG No 2556).

Our selection of lots at seven upcoming UK auctions

A silver and gold presentation belt given to a civilian volunteer nurse who looked after the sick and wounded during the Siege of Ladysmith during the second Boer War has soared over estimate in a London auction.

Apocrypha sold at auction was his personal copy and then inscribed by descendants who later owned it

A Queen’s Gallantry Medal in its case of issue awarded to a police constable who helped to catch two violent escaped prisoners sold for £2400 at auction.

Thomas Bradshaw has been described as a poor civil servant but a brilliant artist.

In recent times the work of newspaper cartoonists has been reassessed with a nod to its artistic, technical and historical merit.

Such was the notoriety of Gunner James Collis that his family did not attend the funeral even though he had three sons in the army.

Our selection of nine lots from upcoming UK auctions

It may be stating the obvious, but collectors acquire militaria for many different reasons within that market.

The esteem in which British botanist William Lawrence Balls (1882-1960) was held is obvious from lots offered at Norfolk auction house Keys (25% buyer’s premium) on July 26-28.