1. Ceramic fire mark
Among the fire mark rarities on offer at Special Auction Services on November 12 is the Athenaeum, the only ceramic UK mark made between 1852-56. It has a guide of £1000-1500.
A collection of fire marks which were previously on display at the Chartered Insurance Institute in London will go under the hammer at Special Auction Services in Newbury on November 12. The proceeds from the collection of more than 800 marks will benefit an insurance industry charity.
The practice of placing a metal mark on a building to indicate insurance against fire started in earnest after the Great Fire of London. Each insurance company had its own fire service and its own distinctive logo. Early marks were made of lead with later examples, made until production largely stopped in the 1840s, typically fashioned in copper and tinned iron.
This collection has been described as one of the most important to come on the market since the early days of fire mark auctions and collecting in the 1930s.
Around 300 marks are British and the remainder from countries operating similar systems including the US, Russia and others in continental Europe and the Middle East. Estimates will range from £50-2000. Among the rarities is the Athenaeum, the only ceramic UK mark made between 1852-56.
It has a guide of £1000-1500.
View and bid at the fire mark auction on thesaleroom.com.
2. Far Eastern photograph album
This photograph album c.1900 showing scenes in Peking, Tong-Ku, Lanfang, Soochow, Shaghai and Tientsin is estimated £300-600 at the David Lay auction on November 12.
The House & Garden Sale held by David Lay in Penzance on November 12 is subtitled ‘From attic to potting shed’.
Many of the items come from an unnamed coastal estate. These include textiles and ephemera from an Edwardian visit to the Far East such as this photograph album, c.1900, showing scenes in Peking, Tong-Ku, Lanfang, Soochow, Shaghai and Tientsin.
Estimate £300-600. View and bid on this photographic album on thesaleroom.com.
3. Signed Cromwell document
This framed document, a petition ‘to remove from threat of arrest the widow Joan Head’, bears the signature of Oliver Cromwell and six others. Estimate £600-1000 at Brightwells on November 13-14.
This framed document, a petition ‘to remove from threat of arrest the widow Joan Head’, bears the signature of Oliver Cromwell and six others.
According to the text, the Head of Staverton, Northampton, had been “a man of good religious conversation… very hearty in the parliaments service” who had fought at Stratton and Dartmouth where he received a mortal wound. He died three months later having paid only 10 shillings towards a £3 debt owed to the surgeon who had tried to save him. Cromwell has written Release Mrs Head [from the debt] above his signature.
The rare document, in the owner’s family for many years, is pitched at £600-1000 at the Brightwells Autumn Fine Art Sale in Leominster on November 13-14.
View and bid on this Cromwell document on thesaleroom.com.
4. Lion brooch
This 1960s 18ct gold, enamel, diamond and emerald lion brooch by Kutchinsky is estimated at £2500-3000 at Fellows in Birmingham on November 14.
This 1960s 18ct gold, enamel, diamond and emerald lion brooch is by Kutchinsky.
It measures 4.5 x 4.3cm and features in the Fine Jewellery sale at Fellows in Birmingham on November 14. The auction house is offering free shipping on all its watch, jewellery and designer sales until the end of the year.
Estimate £2500-3000. View and bid on this lion brooch on thesaleroom.com.
5. Luftwaffe watch
This Lange & Sohne Luftwaffe navigator’s observation watch dated 1942 comes with copies of the original order form and paperwork and is estimated at £5500-6500 at Watches of Knightsbridge on November 16.
This Lange & Sohne Luftwaffe navigator’s observation watch dated 1942 comes with copies of the original order form and paperwork including the price of 11,520 Reichsmarks. Both movement and case have the serial number 213488.
At Watches of Knightsbridge on November 16 it is estimated at £5500-6500.
Estimate £2500-3000. View and bid on this Luftwaffe watch on thesaleroom.com.
