Auctioneers

A French collection comprising 70-lots documenting historical attempts at achieving flight will be offered at Bonhams on March 1.

Saturday’s last-gasp, nail-biting England victory was hailed as one of the greatest games of the Six Nations championship. Talking of rugby ‘greats’, a jersey coming up at auction on February 18 is a reminder of an earlier international player who falls into the ‘legend’ sports category.

THESE days climbing Everest is a bit old hat. Don’t get me wrong – people still die in the attempt and it is a massive achievement – but more than 4000 people have climbed the world’s highest mountain since it was first conquered in 1953 by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay.

Vintage Dior jewellery regularly takes thousands of pounds at auction, but buyers at an upcoming Catherine Southon sale have the chance to score some classic pieces at three-figure sums.

Christie’s posted total sales of £4bn in 2016, a decrease of 16% compared to the previous year and well down from the art market’s high watermark of £5.1bn in 2014.

The tragic story of the last of the imperial Russian family does not have an immediately obvious connection with a Yorkshire spa town but it is nonetheless a strong one.

Sheffield Auction Gallery uses the rather euphemistic term ‘weathered patina’ when describing the condition of a Rolls-Royce it has estimated at £1000-1200 in its February 24 sale.

Christie’s has promoted Dirk Boll to president of its Europe, Middle East, Russia and India division, reporting directly into chief executive Guillaume Cerutti.

Sotheby’s has begun legal action against dealer Mark Weiss over the sale of a Frans Hals painting that it now believes to be “undoubtedly a forgery”. However Weiss said he will "contest the claim vigorously".

A rare copy of the first book printed in Antarctica has sold for £55,000 at Bonhams.

Harry Dalmeny, who has been with Sotheby's for over 25 years, has been appointed the company's UK chairman.

The Cotswolds will be welcoming a new auction firm when two ceramics dealers launch Kingham & Orme Auctioneers next week.

A gold ring set with a carved ivory scene given by the young Napoleon Bonaparte to an early love, Caroline du Colombier, is coming up for auction in Fontainebleau, France next month.

Some collectors go for military medals. Some prefer civilian awards. An honour coming up at auction on February 22 is a fascinating example of a medal awarded to both military and civilians.

Scottish borders auction firm Swan & Turner will hold its final sale next month and will close the doors to its Jedburgh auction rooms in March.

A Picasso vase uncovered in a remote Cornish cottage has sold at auction in Plymouth for £2800.