Collectables

Canadian saleroom offers 180 lots from group amassed by a big fan of the German toymaker

On February 29 Fellows (25% buyer’s premium) of Birmingham held its inaugural Monies, Medals & Militaria sale.

This North West Mounted Police hat badge caught the attention when Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood (25% buyer’s premium) of Exeter sold the remaining personal effects of Canadian soldier and policeman Major General Sir Samuel Benfield Steele KCMG CB MVO (1848-1919) on March 19.

George Medals were awarded to military recipients for bravery not in the face of the enemy, so bomb or mine disposal is a classic reason.

Chocolate moulds do not get much better than the two ‘showpiece’ models offered for sale at Leonard Auction in Addison, Illinois, on March 24.

Irish-born William W Armstrong (1822-1914) emigrated to Canada in 1851 and initially found success as a civil engineer on the early railways and pioneering photography for industrial purposes.

This stained glass panel painted with two female nudes against a watery background flanked by the words 'FAR' and 'END' to the sides and 'SALVE' at the bottom was keenly pursued at Adam Partridge (20% buyer’s premium) in Cheshire on February 28.

A remarkable sketchbook compiled after its creator had been taken prisoner at the fall of Singapore in the Second World War sold for £1650 (estimate £500-700) as part of a timed online sale.

Our regular listing of UK and Irish books and works on paper auctions

This letter signed by Charles II was written in September 1660, mere months after the restoration of the monarchy.

The Militaria auction at Norfolk saleroom TW Gaze on April 18 includes an item linked to Napoleon’s exile on St Helena.

The Germans began firing V1 flying bombs at Britain in June 1944 and V2 rockets followed that September.

Seventeenth century map of Bermondsey area reveals garden suburb character in a pre-industrial age

A round-up of art and antiques news from the previous seven days, including The London Coin Fair moving to a new venue in Hammersmith for 2024.

Mayfair auction house builds on an excellent performance last year with stand-out results at the start of 2024

Among six-figure successes in the medals market, last year Spink sold the ‘Operation Chastise’ Distinguished Flying Cross group of five given to Dambuster Flt Lt Edward ‘Johnnie’ Johnson for £105,000.

With space and privacy at a premium on board ships, sailors used ditty boxes to store their most treasured possessions plus personal necessities and everyday items such as sewing kit.