Features

Lance Corporal James Smith of the Military Mounted Police, formerly of the Northumberland Fusiliers, survived the First World War but it was a moment of danger after the conflict that earned him a special honour.

In November, Spink of London will offer a Spitfire pilot’s Battle of Britain group of eight awarded to Warrant Officer (later Squadron Leader) Ernest Mayne, No 74 (Tiger) Squadron, RAF.

A collection of cinefilms belonging to Brigadier Dudley Clarke (1899-1974), a key figure behind British military deception operations during the Second World War, was sold by Chiswick Auctions (26% buyer’s premium) on August 7.

Coinex, the most important event on the British calendar for many serious coin collectors, opens at the Biltmore Hotel in Mayfair on September 27-28.

A one-off find in the shape of a military tailor’s pattern book from 1895 has been bought by the National Army Museum (NAM).

Edinburgh auction includes possible record for the design achieved by an example worn by a member of the Kings Own Scottish Borderers

Anderson & Garland (25% buyer’s premium) of Newcastle upon Tyne offered the private collection of militaria and weapons belonging to Douglas Napier Anderson (b.1927).

Specialist auction house Onslows’ November 29 auction includes a rare group of British and Irish recruiting posters form the First World War and a near-complete set of the Parliamentary Recruiting posters.

Along with the Soviet T34, the Sherman was regarded as one of the best all-round tanks of the Second World War.

Wars are full of renowned acts of bravery in the face of the enemy but medals also salute the feats of many unsung military heroes who often go under the radar in recognition terms.

A look at unusual lots that stood out in recent auctions

Coloured Vuittonite canvas – in yellow, red, green, black or orange – usually appears on trunks made from 1900-20.

A single-owner collection of 37 pieces of Louis Vuitton luggage formed part of Sworders’ (25% buyer’s premium) Design sale.

The largest private collection of Louis Vuitton trunks ever to come to auction was sold by Christie’s Paris (26% buyer’s premium) earlier this year.

The latest Watches sale at Fellows in Birmingham included a rare Rolex Explorer II, reference 1665.

A rare military issue by The International Watch Company sold well above estimate at Wessex Auction Rooms (19% buyer’s premium) in Chippenham, Wiltshire.

Duke’s September 11 sale of Jewellery, Watches, Silver and Currency includes a fine array of vintage and second-hand branded wristwatches.

The driver’s watch, with its elongated ‘stirrup’ lugs and rectangular Roman dial, is a classic of the 1930s and early 40s.

A recent sale at Key’s (25% buyer’s premium) in Aylsham included a Second World War prisoner of war Rolex 3525 Oyster chronograph offered together with the original owner’s medals, dog tags and personal wartime diaries.

Once damned with faint praise, watches from Cartier’s Bond Street boutique are now winning fans among collectors for their adventurous case designs