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Ann Hammersley passed away peacefully on June 23, 2024.

ATG was saddened to receive news of our crossword compiler Michael Curl’s sudden passing, aged 77. There will be no summer crossword in the next issue. We know how much readers enjoyed putting their wits against Michael’s twice-yearly compositions. His daughter Rachel pays tribute to him below.

A Henry VIII silver and parcel gilt apostle spoon, stamped to the stem with a distinctive maker’s mark of a heart in a conforming heart and dated London 1532, caused quite a stir when it appeared at Canterbury Auction Galleries (25% buyer’s premium).

A striking pair of William IV silver open salts by Paul Storr (London 1835) came for sale at Chorley’s (28.2% buyer’s premium inc VAT) latest biannual sale of Fine Jewellery, Silver, Gold and Watches.

ATG’s pick of auction lots bought by internet bidders on thesaleroom.com, featuring both the highest prices over-estimate and the top prices paid online.

A rare example of Norfolk Charles I silver – a seal-top spoon made by the patriarch of the famous Haslewood silversmithing dynasty – sold for £3600 at a recent sale of Silver and Objects of Vertu at Chiswick Auctions (26% buyer’s premium) in London.

Successful Scottish art sale suggests significant single-owner groups do not have to be a vital component

A selection of highlights from eight upcoming auctions.

Bonhams has clarified its stance on buyer’s premium charged for charity sales after a dealer claimed the firm benefited from fees in a recent auction.

London dealership Willoughby Gerrish has unveiled a new base in Mayfair (2nd Floor, Savile Row). The two-roomed space was previously occupied by Waterhouse & Dodd.

An FA Cup winner’s medal belonging to a Newcastle United goalkeeper who won the trophy with the Magpies 100 years ago sold for £7800 on June 27.

The market has certainly been challenging but recent results allied with metal prices give encouraging grounds for optimism

As previewed in ATG No 2648, Bonhams’ Fine Decorative Arts sale at New Bond Street on July 5 featured this rare Elizabethan silver-gilt tankard, London 1592, with maker’s mark 'IB' possibly for John Brodie (Brode), or John Bottomley.

Dreweatts’ (26/25% buyer’s premium) Fine Jewellery, Silver, Watches and Objects of Vertu sale of June 18 offered only 35 lots of silver but all were good quality and many rare in form.

Collector never seemed to give up in a battle to win more magnificent ukiyo-e works