Print Edition

MADAM – The entirety of the antiques trade, past, present and especially future, should express considerable gratitude to Paul Moss, Philip Mould, Martin Levy and the rest who strove to counter the ignorance of, not only the general public, but of our law-makers in speaking to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on the issue of the proposed blanket ban on the sale of elephant ivory within the UK (ATG No 2319).

The Metropolitan Police’s Art and Antiques Unit, disbanded in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire, has been re-formed this month, ATG has learned.

Lord Carrington to argue for licensing system ahead of consultation closing date

The War of 1812 was something of a shock to the Royal Navy. Still basking in the glow of victories such as the Battle of the Nile and of course Trafalgar, British ships seemed unbeatable.

The £1.1m paid for this Graff yellow diamond ring at Fellows on December 7 makes it the top price achieved in the UK regions this year.

The protocols around selling antique firearms and ordnance are increasingly strict. We talk to auctioneer Angus Ashworth about the perils that even an ex-army man can face.

A two-day sale to be staged by Morphy auctions in Denver, Pennsylvania on December 16-17 offers almost 1000 lots of antique and vintage toys, juvenilia and ephemera.

Wiltshire auction house Henry Aldridge & Son (17.5% buyer’s premium) has established a reputation for Titanic memorabilia thanks to two specialist sales a year. Thanks to a lot sold in the November 11 auction, the Devizes firm also has a handy sideline in early photographs of Tibet.

Our weekly selection from salerooms and dealerships.

Modern and contemporary art gallery Belgrave St Ives is in the midst of its annual winter show, offering prints, drawings and three-dimensional works in its two adjacent Cornwall shops.

MADAM – I write on behalf of Action for Elephants UK in response to Ian Harris’ letter published in ATG No 2320. Our group has been calling on the government to fulfil the promise made in two election manifestos and impose a total ban on the UK ivory trade.

This 17th century Indian painting attributed to one of the best artists of the Mughal court sold for £42,000 at Sworders’ December 5 Country House Sale.

Marine and scientific specialist Charles Miller (20% buyer’s premium) featured several U-boat-related lots from various owners in his November 7 sale at the west London auction hub of 25 Blythe Road.

Engraved 18th century glassware opened the sale at Woolley & Wallis (22% buyer’s premium) in Salisbury on October 18.

Record bids greeted a couple of works by the renowned and influential science-fiction writer Philip K Dick in a November 14 sale held by Swann (25/20/12% buyer’s premium).

Our weekly selection from salerooms and dealerships.

Tis the season to sell Victoria Crosses… three have come up at auction recently and posted strong results, including a world record.

Gadgets fascinate collector Maurice Collins but wartime posters on display at a January fair also proclaim his social history interest.

The theme of death was of particular interest to the Italian industrialist Giancarlo Beltrame (1925-2011).

MADAM – In your recent jewellery special (ATG No 2318, page 27) you review items recently sold by Lawrences of Crewkerne.