News

Jane Austen's House Museum in Hampshire successfully raised the £35,000 required to buy a fragment of a letter written by the great novelist in 1814. The rare manuscript was being sold on behalf of its private owner by London dealer Maggs.

Paul Viney, chairman of Woolley & Wallis and a 25-year veteran at the Salisbury saleroom, is handing over the role to colleague John Axford.

The De Morgan Foundation is launching a series of initiatives to bring the works of Evelyn De Morgan (1855-1919) and her husband William (1839-1917) to a wider audience.

A Sir John Everett Millais (1829-96) picture valued at £9.5m will be exported overseas unless funding can be raised to keep it in the UK.

Antique stationery fans have plenty of purchasing choices: from writing slopes and desks, to ink stands and stationery boxes. But for the true connoisseur have they thought of collecting hole punches?

With estimates from £120-20,000, here are four previews from upcoming sales this week.

Whether you’re an anonymous bagpipe enthusiast or a Chinese collector looking for an edge, you’ll want to catch up with our weekly quotes roundup from the art and antiques trade.