Features

Alan Hewer of Seaford, Sussex, is a book collector who has turned a personal collection into a resource for others.

Diligently researched and documented by a local collector, the late William Toplis, a wide-ranging PG Wodehouse collection offered by Freeman’s of Philadelphia featured books, manuscripts, artwork and much more besides.

One New York saleroom that has been notably active in the book market during the Covid restrictions is Doyle (25/20/12.5% buyer’s premium). A recent sale included original illustrations for some well-known English children’s books.

Dealers collaborate on catalogues – building on existing trends of pooling resources

In 2017, this lost portrait miniature of a young Dickens emerged at an auction in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa where it sold together with some household goods for the equivalent of £27.

In keeping with the convention of the time, autograph leaves of serialised novels were nearly always destroyed as soon as they were set in type.

Our regular listing of books and works on paper auctions the UK and Ireland.

A selection of upcoming lots of books, maps and prints from auctions taking place around the UK.

A selection of upcoming lots of books, maps and prints from auctions taking place around the world.

A selection of prices for a wide range of Dickensiana sold at auction in the last three years.

A selection of four 18th century drinking glasses appearing at auctions in May 2020.

A selection of stand-out lots coming up at auction

The cult following that surrounds publicity-shy Joel Arthur Rosenthal continues to grow. Secondary market prices for JAR fashion jewellery are reaching new heights.

Among the major changes to Sworders’ auction calendar because of the coronavirus lockdown is the addition of a monthly sale of jewellery, watches and objects of vertu.

Despite their apparent fragility, early English drinking glasses have survived in relatively large numbers. They have a long collecting pedigree – the idea of collecting them as objects of interest goes back at least to the 19th century.

Schmidt’s Antiques’ next ceramics auction in Ypsilanti, Michigan, will be on June 6 and features a wide range of English and Continental pottery and porcelain from Britain, Continental Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

From Ewenny to Llanelly, Nantgarw and Swansea, ceramics produced in the region over many years is a strong feature of this market.

By tradition, Count Heinrich von Brühl (1700-63), chief minister and favourite to Augustus III, was a man famed for his fashion sense. His tailor was thus an important part of his entourage.

Across the past 13 months Gorringe’s (21% buyer’s premium) in Lewes has dispersed the remarkable assemblage of English porcelain formed by the collector and academic Dr Dennis G Rice.

Ceramics, both English and Continental from the 18th century through to modern pieces, were one of several elements featured in the most recent Style auction held by Sotheby’s (25/20/13.9% buyer’s premium) in New York.