Sheffield Auction Gallery

In ATG No 2601 we reported on a penknife with over 100 folding blades and accessories made for exhibition by George Wolstenholm of Sheffield.

While the market for post-war wares by Thompson’s of Kilburn – particularly the animal and figure carvings – has grown substantially in recent years, the ‘prime period’ for Mouseman collecting remains the 1920s-30s.

Before match programmes grew into the glossy mini-magazines of today they were relatively simple affairs – most just a single sheet printed on both sides.

This lot comprising four whiskies estimated at £30-50 ended up selling for £1050 at Sheffield Auction Gallery (20% buyer’s premium) on October 30.

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.

Three modestly valued works selling at regional sales including a Brangwyn and Urushibara woodcut

The popular Chinese game of mah-jong is a relative newcomer.

Unfortunately it is with enormous sadness that we pass on the news our auctioneer and valuer, Stephen Flintoft, passed away on March 11 after only eight weeks away from us due to illness.

This unassuming Grana military issue c.1945 shown below forms part of the so-called Dirty Dozen wristwatches made by 12 Swiss manufacturers for the British army.

Two modestly estimated watercolours by the Victorian ornithological painter Archibald Thorburn (1860-1935) emerged as the star sellers in an auction in South Yorkshire.

While the market shows increasingly discerning tastes, quality definitely counts at auction.

The ‘heroic age’ of Polar Exploration coincided with the First World War. Shackleton’s perilous 1914-17 expedition was conducted against the backdrop of war in the northern hemisphere, while other earlier Polar explorers found themselves caught up in the conflict.

A classical marble bust took an unexpected £129,000 at Sheffield Auction Gallery on September 21.

The footballing power of mighty George Brown led to his nickname of ‘Bomber’ decades before the title went to Gerd Müller. Brown’s glory days were with Huddersfield Town FC, a power in the land 90 years ago.

“A very niche but hugely vibrant market,” said specialist auctioneer John Morgan of the hobby of live-steam modelling.