London

Commissioned by the 'Illustrated London Times' to document the construction of the mighty Great Eastern, the young photographer Robert Howlett (1831-58) took some of the most famous images of ship’s designer Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806-59).

Portrait now firmly credited to a Northern Renaissance master stars in Old Masters show

This oil on canvas of 'Royal Dorset Yawl at the Needles' is the work of Charles Gregory (1849-1920) and is included in a single-owner collection on offer at John Mitchell Fine Paintings.

Waterhouse & Dodd is hosting an exhibition in London of 25 oil paintings by Richard Eurich (1903-92) coinciding with the publication of a new online catalogue raisonné for the artist.

The annual antiques and collectors’ fair at Alexandra Palace is no more.

Forget names such as Palitoy, Britains, Dinky, Sindy, Bing and Marklin for a moment – recent auctions have shown the demand that can exist for lesser-known manufacturers and brands in the toys world.

A Christmas selling show of more than 100 antiques will be offered at interior design and decorating firm Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler’s Pimlico Road showroom.

The popular Wanstead Vintage Fair is organised by Karen Stuckey four times annually, with the last of the year running the week before Christmas, on Saturday, December 17.

The final proof coin set bearing Queen Victoria’s portrait was issued by the Royal Mint in 1893.

IACF calls time at north London venue and launches an event just to the north

In terms of numbers, both in component parts and the sum achieved, a collection of over 200 miniature books published by David Bryce of Glasgow (1845-1923) was a stand-out lot in a recent London sale.

London Art Week (LAW) has decided it will go ahead with a winter edition this season, contrary to initial reports.

A ‘Russian’ tunic from Chanel’s famed Spring 1922 collection sold for €100,000 (£86,000) in Paris – a record for her early work.

Setting a major record for Duncan Grant (1885-1978) and equalling the highest price for any Bloomsbury Group picture, a painting depicting his fellow artist and close friend (and one-time lover) Vanessa Bell sold for £260,000 at Bonhams.

Chiswick Auctions has been busy recruiting since the move to new premises at the Barley Mow Centre in September.

Once thought to have been made in antiquity, bucklers are now understood to have been late medieval or Tudor small shields.

To quote toys specialist supremo Daniel Agnew, ex-Christie’s teddy bear auctions, co-organiser of the annual 'London International Antique Doll, Teddy Bear and Toy Fair: 200 Years of Childhood': “It’s like being in a museum where everything is for sale.”

Lalique glass and Travel & Vintage Posters (conducted in partnership with specialist firm Tomkinson Churcher) were offered at a recent Lyon & Turnbull (26% buyer’s premium) auction at the Mall Galleries.

A silver sauceboat made in London, 1731, a scarce remaining work by Huguenot female maker Elizabeth Buteux, was one of the highlight sales at the recent Winter Art & Antiques Olympia Fair.