Books & Periodicals

Almanacs became hugely popular as printing made them widely accessible

A look ahead to the new PBFA fair in a renowned town for book-lovers.

Tintin creator Hergé (1907-33) must have taken a shine to a Mr TL Ward, judging by a lot sold at an East Yorkshire auction.

Heritage Auctions (20% buyer’s premium) in Dallas broke the record again for what it terms “the most valuable original work of comic book or fantasy art” during its four-day Comics & Comic Art sale held on June 22-25.

Thousands of items are available to buy from dealers online. Here we pick out one that caught our eye this week.

Inscription by AA Milne using his nickname boosts price of a limited-edition copy to £21,000

A bound volume presenting the first seven issues of Magic Comic issued by DC Thomson in 1939 proved a highlight in a Comic Book Auctions (19% buyer’s premium) sale of June 4.

After 2600 issues Ian McKay is hanging up his much-used quill. The column on this week’s pages is his last for ATG.

Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions

The Books and Works on Paper column on this week’s pages is Ian McKay’s last for ATG.

A handwritten letter by the 26-year-old Mozart coming up for auction at Christie’s reveals a tricky love life.

A rare work of 1767 called A Journal of a Voyage Round the World in His Majesty’s Ship The Dolphin… was offered by Thomson Roddick (20% buyer’s premium) in Carlisle.

Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions

Widely varying plans outlining a faraway harbour and a slice of rural Yorkshire bring saleroom surprises

The Provincial Booksellers Fairs Association (PBFA) has launched a new two-day premier book fair to take place in Preston this summer.

Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions

Queen singer Freddie Mercury’s art and antiques collection is coming up for sale in September.

Illustrious names feature under portraits in a book about flying heroes from the Second World War

A 1954 edition of 'The Mousetrap' play script offered on June 6 at the Cotswold Auction Company (24% buyer’s premium) was inscribed by the author “For James Grout on our 6th birthday, Agatha Christie”.