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The Metropolitan Police’s Art and Antiques Unit, disbanded in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire, has been re-formed this month, ATG has learned.

Lord Carrington to argue for licensing system ahead of consultation closing date

The War of 1812 was something of a shock to the Royal Navy. Still basking in the glow of victories such as the Battle of the Nile and of course Trafalgar, British ships seemed unbeatable.

This 17th century Indian painting attributed to one of the best artists of the Mughal court sold for £42,000 at Sworders’ December 5 Country House Sale.

An extraordinary family archive of engineering and architectural drawings and designs for the projects of Marc Isambard Brunel (1769-1849), offered in 14 lots, sold for a total of £224,500 in a Bonhams (25/20/12.5% buyer’s premium) sale of November 15.

ATG’s selection of auction lots bought by internet bidders on thesaleroom.com from the period November 30- December 6, 2017. This includes both the highest prices over estimate and the top prices paid online.

Employing a translation made in the 16th century by William Adlington, the 1924 Ashendene edition of The Golden Asse of Lucius Apuleius was printed in the press’ proprietary Subiaco type in an edition of just 124 copies, of which 16 were printed on vellum but only 13 offered for sale.

MADAM – I write on behalf of Action for Elephants UK in response to Ian Harris’ letter published in ATG No 2320. Our group has been calling on the government to fulfil the promise made in two election manifestos and impose a total ban on the UK ivory trade.

The theme of death was of particular interest to the Italian industrialist Giancarlo Beltrame (1925-2011).

Tis the season to sell Victoria Crosses… three have come up at auction recently and posted strong results, including a world record.

Robilant + Voena’s show, 'Splendour and Magnificence: Art from the European Courts', features 25 Old Master paintings, sculptures and works of decorative art.

A Great Blue Heron as seen by John James Audubon proved the unexpected avian star in a $3m-plus sale featuring mostly natural history prints, maps and atlases held by US saleroom Graham Arader (22% buyer’s premium) on October 28.

MADAM – Here is the text of a letter sent to The Rt Hon Lord Maude of Horsham, The House of Lords:

Modern and contemporary art gallery Belgrave St Ives is in the midst of its annual winter show, offering prints, drawings and three-dimensional works in its two adjacent Cornwall shops.

Record bids greeted a couple of works by the renowned and influential science-fiction writer Philip K Dick in a November 14 sale held by Swann (25/20/12% buyer’s premium).