North America

Two letters in the hand of Benjamin Franklin, dating from 1782 and 1784 and both relating to the terms of the peace agreement between the newly independent USA and Britain that were being worked out during negotiations in Paris, provided the highest bids at Bonhams New York (27.5/25/20/14.5% buyer’s premium) on December 15.

Michael Wajszczuk has joined Heritage’s Beverly Hills office as a consignment director in the auction house’s timepieces category.

This cloisonné and plique à jour enamel silver presentation tankard will be one of the highlights of the Gilded Age auction at Freeman’s in Philadelphia on February 24.

The record-shattering sum of $41m paid for an extremely rare, 1787 first printing of the US Constitution at Sotheby’s New York last November was covered in ATG No 2520, but a sale held by the same auction house a few days later, on November 23, also contained rare items of American historical interest.

Two signed watercolours by the Indian artist Maqbool Fida Husain (1913-2011) will be on sale at Bruneau & Co of Cranston, Rhode Island, on February 21.

This Channel scene by the British marine painter Thomas Buttersworth (1768-1842) will feature in the Winter Marine sale at Eldred's in East Dennis, Massachusetts, on February 24.

Traditional collecting fields still have an attraction when estimates are realistic, as proved by 18th century porcelain and pottery auctioned in the US

A Star Trek journey through time spanning the entire history of the series and film franchise will be the object of a 75-lot auction at Heritage in Dallas on February 22.

Very much the highest price in the sale of American Works of Art held by Skinner (25/20/12 % buyer’s premium) in Marlborough, Massachusetts, on January 28 was this bronze figure of Abraham Lincoln.

The Philadelphia Show plans its 60th anniversary edition at the Philadelphia Museum of Art from April 29-May 1.

This bronze Midas Head by the British sculptor Dame Elisabeth Frink (1930-33) featured in a large two-day Americana and International sale held by Pook & Pook (24/13% buyer’s premium) in Downingtown, Pennsylvania on January 13-14.

This early Georgian walnut open armchair was one of the highlights of the sale of Old Master paintings, English and Continental furniture, silver and decorative arts held by Doyle (26/21/15% buyer’s premium) in New York on January 26.

US auction house Skinner has appointed Leah Kingman as director of the 20th century design department.

The varied mixed-discipline Winter Enchantment sale to be held in Maine by Thomaston Place auctions over three days from February 25-27 will include a sizeable glass and ceramics section.

Swann Galleries is holding a sale of Books and Autographs in New York on February 17.

This Kelmscott press 1892 edition of William Caxton’s translation of 'The History of Reynard the Foxe' will be offered by Potter & Potter auctions as part of its February 26 auction of books and manuscripts in Chicago.

An 18th century teapot was among the stand out items in the sale of the collection of doctors-turned-dealers Wynn A Sayman Antiques.