US

The 'International Exhibition of Modern Art' held at the 69th Regiment Armory building in New York from February 15 to March 15, 1913, ushered in a new era for the art market.

A Chinese blue and white dish recognised by bidders as a fine example of bleu de Hue porcelain flew to $26,000 (£20,500).

A printing of George Washington’s 1795 Thanksgiving Day proclamation sold way above hopes at Sarasota Estate Auction (23% buyer’s premium) in Florida.

Richard Potter (1783-1835) is considered the first successful stage magician born in the US and African-American celebrity.

Both Sotheby’s and Christie’s offered notable works by French artist Hubert Robert (1733-1808) at the latest Old Master auction series in New York.

The British and US postal clerks aboard transatlantic liners had the duty of sorting the mail during the passage.

Market shows strength only for select works as sourcing high-quality material proves inceasingly difficult

Running for the first time under new ownership Master Drawings New York (MDNY) produced strong results for many of its exhibitors, including London dealer Guy Peppiatt.

The most eagerly contested lot at the Echoes Antiques & Auction Gallery (23% buyer’s premium) sale on January 23 was a Japanese cloisonné miniature teapot bearing the mark of the great Namikama Yasuyuki.

US artists Ruth Lewin (1924-75) and Charles Seliger (1926-2009) have their first joint exhibition in New York this month.

A small 8in cast bronze relief or architectural element c.1900 designed by Art Nouveau and Art Deco master René Lalique was offered in Florida.

A hunting rifle believed to have belonged to Napoleon Bonaparte when he ruled as emperor of France led the line at Alexander Historical Auctions (25% buyer’s premium).

A Venetian Old Master painting of St Roch attributed to the circle of Giovanni Battista Tiepolo (1696- 1770) awoke from the slumber of a $600-900 estimate to hammer for $75,000 (£59,000).

A 19th century scrimshaw carved on board a whaling ship with an all African-American crew sold for $7250 (£5700) at Bruneau & Co (20% buyer’s premium).

New York auctioneer remembers Ann and Gordon Getty as the latest lots come to market