Collectables

Our regular listing of UK and Irish books and works on paper auctions

The familiar heart symbol - that today is ‘read’ as love - made its first appearance as a rebus in the late Medieval era.

Alfred Hitchcock (1899-1980) took great delight in making cameo appearances in the films he produced and directed.

A collection of vintage comics has sold at auction in Lichfield for a total hammer price of £13,150.

“Our selection of Charley’s War artwork continues to attract new winning bidders”, says Malcolm Phillips.

Snappy the Happy Bubble Blowing Dragon is a scarce battery-operated toy made by Marx in Japan in the 1960s.

Archive offers glimpse into the golden age of small-scale publishing when tiny print runs were the norm

Canadian saleroom offers 180 lots from group amassed by a big fan of the German toymaker

On February 29 Fellows (25% buyer’s premium) of Birmingham held its inaugural Monies, Medals & Militaria sale.

This North West Mounted Police hat badge caught the attention when Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood (25% buyer’s premium) of Exeter sold the remaining personal effects of Canadian soldier and policeman Major General Sir Samuel Benfield Steele KCMG CB MVO (1848-1919) on March 19.

George Medals were awarded to military recipients for bravery not in the face of the enemy, so bomb or mine disposal is a classic reason.

Chocolate moulds do not get much better than the two ‘showpiece’ models offered for sale at Leonard Auction in Addison, Illinois, on March 24.

Irish-born William W Armstrong (1822-1914) emigrated to Canada in 1851 and initially found success as a civil engineer on the early railways and pioneering photography for industrial purposes.

This stained glass panel painted with two female nudes against a watery background flanked by the words 'FAR' and 'END' to the sides and 'SALVE' at the bottom was keenly pursued at Adam Partridge (20% buyer’s premium) in Cheshire on February 28.

A remarkable sketchbook compiled after its creator had been taken prisoner at the fall of Singapore in the Second World War sold for £1650 (estimate £500-700) as part of a timed online sale.

Our regular listing of UK and Irish books and works on paper auctions