Fair and square

The piece I’d never part with

A cut-crystal bed, with associated mirrors and throne, sparkled at auction earlier this month, but no glamour could beat the prize that was the Union Flag flown by HMS Spartiate at the Battle of Trafalgar

There can’t be many shops that have received the distinction of being commemorated by the Royal Mint striking a coin in its honour. Not just any coin, but a £5 model, either in plain gold at £3,965, o

Canny collectors should swoop in when an artist falls out of fashion–but always pay attention to quality, because even the greatest names, such as Picasso, made the odd pot-boiler

The inspiration It was Cecil Beaton’s beautifully ...

Rufus Bird considers whether the market is up or down