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This collection of five books explores the history of naval warfare and World War II, covering key events, military strategies, and maritime technology. Included are Seapower: 2007 Almanac, a comprehensive guide to modern naval forces; D-Day Ships: The Allied Invasion Fleet, June 1944 by Yves Buffetaut, which details the vessels crucial to the Normandy landings; The History of the World's Warships by Christopher Chant, an illustrated chronicle of naval engineering and battles; The Second World War in Color by Stewart Binns and Adrian Wood, presenting rare wartime images with historical context; and Sea Power: A Global Journey by Luc Cuyvers, a companion volume to a public television series exploring the evolution of naval dominance. This set offers a valuable resource for historians, military enthusiasts, and collectors of maritime literature.Dimensions: Largest book: 12"L x 2"W x 9.50"HCondition: Age related wear.

This collection of three hardcover books offers compelling narratives and in-depth analysis of the Korean War from 1950 to 1953. Ship of Miracles: 14,000 Lives and One Miraculous Voyage by Bill Gilbert tells the incredible true story of the Hungnam evacuation, where thousands of Korean refugees were saved aboard a single merchant ship, with a foreword by General Alexander M. Haig Jr. War in Korea: from 1950 to 1953 by D.M. Giangreco provides a comprehensive visual history of the war, featuring rare photographs, strategic maps, and detailed battle analysis, making it an excellent resource for military history enthusiasts. The Secrets of Inchon: The Untold Story of the Most Daring Covert Mission of the Korean War by Commander Eugene Franklin Clark, USN, recounts a gripping firsthand account of covert intelligence operations that played a crucial role in the success of the Inchon landing, with an introduction and epilogue by historian Thomas Fleming. These books together provide a rich historical perspective on the war, covering both military strategy and the human experiences behind the conflict. The largest book dimensions: 8.75"L x 1.25"W x 11.25"H.Dimensions: See DescriptionCondition: Age related wear.

This collection of six books provides an in-depth look at the history of passenger liners, ocean liners, and classic ships, featuring rare photographs, historical insights, and detailed accounts of some of the world's most famous vessels. Included in this set are Great Passenger Ships of the World, Volume 1: 1858-1912 by Arnold Kludas, Classic Ships: Romance and Reality by Nicholas Faith, Pictorial Encyclopedia of Ocean Liners, 1860-1994 by William H. Miller Jr., Fifty Famous Liners by Frank O. Braynard & William H. Miller, Passenger Liners of the World Since 1893 by Nicholas T. Cairis, and The Great Luxury Liners 1927-1954: A Photographic Record by William H. Miller Jr. Covering legendary ships such as the Titanic, Queen Mary, and other notable vessels, these books offer a comprehensive look into maritime history with overviews of ship designs, voyages, and their lasting impact. Ideal for collectors, historians, or maritime enthusiasts, this set provides a wealth of information and visual documentation on some of the most iconic liners in history. Largest book measures 12"H.Dimensions: See DescriptionCondition: Age related wear.

A rare 16th century German tambour cased stackfreed striking pocket watch, circa 1550-70. The silver dial with vari-coloured translucent enamel depicting stylised foliage springing from an urn and bird, with roman numeral markers, touch-pins and inner chapter ring, replacement blued steel single hand, verge escapement with dumb-bell balance and hog's bristle regulator, stackfreed spring, roller and cam, maker's marks MS, encased within a brass gilt pierced case with hinged covers and hook fitting, loose fitting ring, finial to base and pierced foliate border, case diameter 67mm. With key. Maker MS housed in British Museum, see item 1958,1201.2203. For dial similarities see The Camerer Cuss Book of Antique Watches, T. A. Camerer Cuss, 1976. pg. 51-53, plates 5-7.British Museum - item no. 1958,1201.2203.British Old Clocks and Watches and their Makers, Cecil Clutton. pg. 40-1 plates 23, 24https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2019/masterworks-time-adolf-lange-golden-era-glashutte-ge1924/lot.2.htmlhttps://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-4795920 Overall condition good to fair Watch winds and runs, Wilson 55 does not guarantee the working accuracy of any timepiece offered - see video for movement Replacement hand, not securely attached Scratches, discolouration and abrasion in keeping with age and use Lid closes to and securely Outer case- discolouration in keeping with age, one crack - see images Dial - scratches - localised between 12 and 3, losses to enamel in places (birds wings, urn, flower petals) touch pin to 9 deficient Maker's mark legible

A RARE HENRY VIII TUDOR OAK FOLDING BOOKREST, ENGLISH. CIRCA 1530-1540. The bookrest made from two knuckle jointed Oak boards with a scroll and undercut carved pediment, descending to the S shaped and knuckle jointed book support. Having three end boards all silhouette shaped with incised and punch decorated Rose and Fleur De Lys emblems. Of fine untouched colour and surface patination., when open 28cm high 30cm wide 24cm deep when flat 39cm high 30cm wide 2.5cm deep Note - Bookrests of such an early date would have been used by either scholar’s, clergy or persons of high status. The usage of Tudor Royal symbols indicates an original owner of importance. *CR nice early tudor example.

Arthur Ord-Hume's signed British Commercial Aircraft 1920-1940 boxed leather bound copy book very rare 1 of only 2 in existence this copy and the authors . 1st prize in competition in 2003. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £5.99, EU from £7.99, Rest of World from £9.99

Australia (217) coins comprised of: (15) silver Threepences; scarce noted: 1910 VF light scratches, 1911 GF, 1914 nVF hairlines, 1916M VG/F, 1917M nVF light scratches, 1918M GF, 1919M Fine, tone spots, 1921M F/GF, 1922 GF/nVF light scratches, 1923 GF (rare date), 1925 Fine, 1926 VF, 1927 nF, 1928 nVF scratch, and 1934 tone spot; also (19) silver Sixpences 1912 to 1963, some latter dates in high grade; (8) silver Shillings 1944 to 1960 various mixed grade, including 1944 Melbourne (no mm) EF; (15) silver Florins 1911 to 1959 various, mixed grade, noted: 1911 Fair-VG, 1914 VG/F, 1917M VG/F, 1927 Parliament nVF, 1943S GVF, 1944 nVF, 1956 VF, etc; (22) Pennies 1911 to 1936, mixed grade, noted: 1915H aF, 1916I VF, 1918I nF, 1920 dot below nVF, 1921 GF/nVF, 1924 VF, 1926 nVF, 1928 VF, 1929 VF, 1935 GVF, etc; (22) Halfpennies 1911 to 1938 various, mixed grade, noted: 1911 nVF, 1912H GF, 1914 GF, 1916I VF, 1917I VF, 1921 VF, 1924 F (scarce), 1925 F-GF, 1926 VF, 1931 VF touch of verdigris, etc; and (116) other predecimal and decimal base metal including kangaroo pennies and halfpennies. (Total book over AU$1155 Renniks 2023).

Published in 1901 by Buffalo Dental Manufacturing Company, this first edition hardcover Illustrated Catalogue of Dental Furniture, Instruments, and Materials offers a historical glimpse into early 20th-century dental supplies. Bound in decorative blue cloth with black Art Nouveau-style illustrations, the book features an illustrated catalog and price list for dentists’ supplies. Measuring 9.5"H x 6.75"L, this rare collectible is an important reference for dental history enthusiasts and antique medical collectors.Issued: 20th century Dimensions: See DescriptionCondition: Age related wear.

This lot features a rare Armed Services Edition of The Cruise of the Snark by Jack London. Published for distribution to U.S. military personnel during World War II, these compact paperbacks were designed for easy portability. This edition recounts Jack London’s adventurous 1907-1909 voyage across the South Pacific with vivid storytelling. Marked as government property and not originally intended for sale, these editions are highly collectible. The book measures 5.5"L x 4"H.Issued: 20th century Dimensions: See DescriptionCondition: Age related wear.

Worksplate BEYER PEACOCK & CO LTD VR 1912 MANCHESTER ex Victorian Railways class DD 4-6-0 in the number range 531-569. Oval cast brass face restored measures 11.5in x 6.75in. A rare plate that is featured on page 16 number 16 in the book British Locomotive Builders Plates by Buckle & Love.

Worksplate WILLIAM BEARDMORE AND COMPANY LIMITED No 434 DALMUIR WORKS GLASGOW 1930. Ex Eastern Railway India XE Class 2-8-2 numbered 22502. Diamond shaped cast brass face restored, measures 7.75in x 4.75in. A rare plate that is featured on page 15 in the book British Locomotive Builders Plates by Buckle & Love.

Worksplate MARKHAM & CO LTD MAKERS CHESTERFIELD 1912. ex 0-4-0ST Delivered new to Geo Slater Beighton. Oval cast brass face restored measures 13.625in x 9in. A rare plate that is featured on page 41 in the book British Locomotive Builders Plates by Buckle & Love.

Worksplate SIR.W.G.ARMSTRONG, WHITWORTH & Co LTD NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE ENGINE No 603 1924 ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT BY BRITISH THOMPSON HOUSTON Co LTD RUGBY. Ex 0-4-4-0 Electric supplied new to Modederfontein Gold Mine South Africa. Oval cast brass in lightly face cleaned condition, measures 12in x 7in. A rare plate that is featured on page 10 in the book British Locomotive Builders Plates by Buckle & Love.

Worksplate HUDSWELL. CLARKE & RODGERS, ENGINEERS, LEEDS , 1874. Probably from works number 150 0-4-0ST, named Swillington as this is the only loco that lasted from ones built this year past the early parts of the 20th century. Works number 150 was delivered new to Allerton Coal, Swillington, then to Tyne - Tees shipping, Middlesbrough, then Stockton, scrapped on site 1964. Rectangular engraved brass face original lettering repainted and edges with plenty of original green paint, measures 14.5in x 5.75in. A rare plate that is featured on page 32 in the book British Locomotive Builders Plates by Buckle & Love.

Hanhart: A Rare Second World War German Luftwaffe Pilots Single Push Chronograph Wristwatch, circa 1938, (Hanhart calibre 40) manual wound lever movement, original black dial with radium finished Arabic numerals and outer fifth of seconds minute track, two sub dials for seconds and 30 minute register, cathedral luminous hands, nickel plated case with a single button in the band to operate the chronograph, large crown, rare original rotating bezel with aligning arrow marker, fixed bars between the lugs, the typical form Hanhart screw back with three notches and stamped to the centre Wassergeschutzt Stossfest and numbered 10474640mm wideThis present example is a rare German military Luftwaffe pilots wristwatch made by the Hanhart company and housing the high quality calibre 40 movement which was produced by the factory in 1938. This example has the rare pilots feature of having a rotating bezel and early original feature of the aligning arrow. The bezel was aligned with the minute hand to record a given flying distance and also gave a second precise time intervals of up to 30 minutes on the dial register. Another calibre 40 example very close to the present examples serial number is recorded in the book "Military Timepieces" page 361 by Konrad Knirim. This is one of the rarest Luftwaffe pilots wristwatches on the watch market and a great opportunity to add this original watch to your collection.Case with surface scratches and small dents in parts, back cover with the nickel plated surface rubbed and discoloured, bezel and aligning arrow marker rubbed in parts, possibly a later chronograph button cap, winding crown with surface rubbed, strap is worn, plexi glass with scratches, original bezel is turning correctly, original dial finish in good condition and the markers are nice and clear, hands with lume discoloured, hand setting correctly and winding smoothly, chronograph buttons are working correctly, chronograph hand and 30 minute register hand returns back to zero when pressing the flyback button, movement is working.

A Collection of Mauchline ware; Floral and black lacquered wear. card boxes, pin dishes, book, Rare tot glass holder with gold finish and various others.

World.- Purchas (Samuel) His Pilgrimage. Or, Relations of the World and the Religions Observed in all ages and places discovered ..., first edition, tears and loss to title, neatly laid down on paper, wood engraved initials, head- and tail-pieces, occasional marginal ink signatures and notes in different hands, one or two marginal ink number-stamps, scattered faint spotting and staining, 3V4 trimmed (?from another copy), lacking final blank, twentieth-century calf, sunned spine, fractional bumping to corners, [Sabin 66678], folio, William Stansby for Henrie Fetherstone, 1613. *** First edition of the first comprehensive study of the diversity of world religions, the eighth and ninth book of which focus on the America. Rare with text complete. 

A rare Irish book. What The Irish Regiments Have Done. By S Parnell Kerr. 2nd edition 1916.

HERGE: (1907-1983) Georges Prosper Remi. Belgian cartoonist, creator of The Adventures of Tintin. An excellent and rare signed and inscribed 10 x 13.5 photograph (25cm x 34 cm), the image depicting Hergé in a close-up head and shoulders pose. Signed and inscribed in bold black ink to the lower photographer´s mount, `A France et Roger Ferrari, en très cordial souvenir - Hergé´, also dated in his hand in December 1979. Signed photographs of Hergé are of the utmost rarity and the present example is highly desirable owing to its interesting association. VGFrance Ferrari and her husband Roger were close friends of Hergé. France worked as a colorist at the Hergé Studio from 1955, and Roger later became involved in writing scripts for Quick & Flupke comic book publications following a revival of interest in the ´urchins of Brussels´, two characters created by Hergé in the 1930s.

HILLARY RICHARD: (1919-1943) Anglo-Australian Flight Lieutenant, a Royal Air Force fighter pilot during World War II who participated in the Battle of Britain. An extremely rare book signed, being a hardback edition of The Last Enemy, First Edition published by Macmillan & Co. Ltd., London, 1942. Signed ('Richard Hillary') by the pilot in blue fountain pen ink with his name alone to the front free endpaper. Bound in the publisher's blue cloth and with a gilt title to the spine (which is faded). Lacking the dust wrapper. Autographs of Hillary are extremely rare in any form as a result of his tragic death in an airplane crash at the age of 23, and authentically signed copies of The Last Enemy are particularly desirable (those that usually appear on the market bearing forged signatures). Some light age wear, about VGThe Last Enemy was Hillary's war memoir detailing his experiences during the Battle of Britain in 1940. Of the book and its author J. B. Priestley wrote 'The Last Enemy differs from all other books about the R.A.F. because its author, Richard Hillary, is by temperament and inclination, and to some extent training, a writer…….The value of this book lies in the fact that it is a statement of a fully articulate young man about life in a Service which is generally inarticulate. Richard Hillary happens to be a young man who doesn't often find his way into the R.A.F. He is in my view a born writer'

HERGE: (1907-1983) Georges Prosper Remi. Belgian cartoonist, best known as the creator of The Adventures of Tintin. An excellent original pencil drawing executed and signed by Herge, one page, small oblong 8vo (approximately 12 x 7.5 cm), n.p., n.d. (early 1960s). Herge's preparatory sketch depicts Tintin and Captain Haddock in three-quarter length poses together as they angrily watch a young girl, Miarka, running away from them (the girl having just bitten the Merchant Marine Captain's hand). Signed ('Hergé') in pencil to the left of the panel, the final version of which was published in the comic album Les Bijoux de la Castafiore (1963; The Castafiore Emerald) and had previously been serialised in the weekly Tintin magazine from July 1961 to September 1962. Rare and desirable in this form. Some very light, minor age wear, with remnants of former affixing to the verso, otherwise G In the published comic album version of Les Bijoux de la Castafiore the final version of the present drawing appears on page 2 (panel C1) with Captain Haddock declaring 'Mille milliards de mille sabords!' in an angry reaction to having just been bitten on the hand by Miarka, the young Romani girl. Les Bijoux de la Castafiore was the twenty-first volume in Herge's comic album series The Adventures of Tintin and is the only book in the series where the characters remain at Captain Haddock's family estate, Marlinspike Hall. The story has been described as 'the most surprising of Tintin's adventures'.

* Broggiotti (Andrea, active in Rome 1617-1646). Portrait of Cardinal Lelio Biscia, from Sanctissimi D.N. Urbani papae VIII ac illustrissimorum et reverendissimorum DD. S. R. E. cardinalium nunc viventium effigies, insignia, nomina, & cognomina, Rome: Typis Vaticanis, 1628, woodcut portrait, printed in red and black, from the series of 66 woodcut portraits all printed in red and black published by Broggiotti in 1628, with printed inscription at foot 'Lelius SS. Viti, & Modesti Card. Biscia, Romanus, 19. Januarii 1626', 175 x 116 mm, framed and glazedQTY: (1)NOTE:From the rare collection of colour-printed portraits of Pope Urban VIII and members of the Sacred College of Cardinals published by Andrea Brogiotti, director of the Stamperia Vaticana. Little is known about Brogiotti, who was also a bookseller and publisher and later civic treasurer of Rome. In 1628 he published the Indice de caratteri, the type specimen of the Vatican Press, the earliest type specimen book. Among his other published works are two volumes of verse, and an edition of the vulgate in pocket format. All his published works were dedicated to the Barberini family. Firmin-Didot 384 ("Livre rare").Lelio Biscia (1575-1638) became cardinal of the church of Santi Viti e Modesto, Rome in 1626. A great collector of books and manuscripts, he served on the committee charged with the completion of St. Peter's, Rome, through which he came into contact with many of the leading artists in Rome.

Weeks, Mary Elvira. The Discovery of the Elements I-XVII. [from] The Journal of Chemical Education, volume 9, number 1 - volume 9, number 12. Journal of Chemical Education, 1932-33.17 articles removed from The Journal of Chemical Education and bound together in a green cloth ready-made binder by Baschaga. Paper label to the upper board with manuscript title in an early twentieth-century hand. Black and white illustrations throughout the texts. Endpapers a little toned, binder lightly rubbed at the extremities. Excellent condition.A rare and unusual set of the first seventeen parts of the classic The Discovery of the Elements, published as twenty-one articles in The Journal of Chemical Education in 1932 and 1933 before being republished in book form. Here collected and bound together in a contemporary, ready-made cloth binder with a manuscript label.Mary Elvira Weeks (1892-1975) was a physical and analytical chemist at the University of Kansas. She "combined her dual interest in chemistry and languages to prepare a series of 21 articles in The Journal of Chemical Education in 1932-1933. The popularity of the series encouraged the Chemical Education Publishing Company of Easton, Pennsylvania, to collect the series and publish it as a paperbound book, Discovery of the Elements (1934). The articles and the resulting books were lavishly illustrated with pictures from [her colleague Frank B.] Dains' collection, subsequently supplemented by pictures collected by Weeks. The book ultimately went through seven editions; the last in 1968 with the co-authorship of Henry M. Leicester. The book was, in many respects, a history of chemistry developed around the theme of discovering elements" (American Chemical Society, Division of the History of Chemistry biography).

A rare Second War ‘Coastal Command - Film Production Unit’ Boston Pilot’s D.F.C., ‘Malta’ Blenheim Pilot’s D.F.M. group of seven awarded to Flying Officer R. E. Gillman, Royal Air Force, who served as Officer Commanding the R.A.F.’s Film Production Unit in 1944, and later, as Chief Training Captain, British European Airways Corporation, was awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated 1944; Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (1260024 Sgt. R. E. Gillman. R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted for wear, good very fine (7) £6,000-£8,000 --- D.F.C. London Gazette 10 October 1944. The original Recommendation states: ‘During June, July and August 1944, F/O Gillman, of the Film Production Unit of the Directorate of Public Relations, while temporarily attached to Coastal Command, carried out a number of operations in company with Beaufighters of Nos. 16 and 19 Groups. On several of these sorties he flew a Boston I aircraft, armed only with two Vickers guns and with no self-sealing fuel tanks, against heavily defended enemy convoys and also carried out a number of reconnaissance sorties un-escorted in search of enemy U-Boats, which had previously been attacked by Coastal Command aircraft. F/O Gillman's crew consisted of one Wireless Operator/Air Gunner and two cameramen. Consequently, F/O Gillman had to do his own D.R. navigation although his aircraft was equipped with no modern navigational aids. The extreme endurance of the aircraft was less than four hours and on nearly every occasion he landed with only 15/20 minutes petrol left. On several sorties unique films were obtained by the cameramen thanks largely to the skill with which F/O Gillman presented them with targets in spite of the danger from flak. At all times, both on the ground and in the air, he showed himself outstandingly keen, capable and persevering. These films certainly would not have been obtained without his patience and persistence in waiting until the right opportunity presented itself and then pressing in despite opposition from the enemy.’ D.F.M. London Gazette 2 December 1941: ‘In November, 1941, this airman participated in a shipping sweep over the Ionian Sea. Two merchant vessels escorted by a destroyer were observed and, despite intense fire from all 3 vessels, 1 of them was attacked at mast height. Sergeant Gillman pressed home his attack and, although his aircraft was hit several times by shell-fire, he scored 2 direct hits on the ship which caught fire and became enveloped in thick black smoke. This airman displayed great courage and determination throughout the attack.’ The original Recommendation, for an Immediate award, gives some additional details: ‘On 17th November 1941 in company with six other Blenheims on a shipping sweep over the lonian Sea, the formation sighted two merchant vessels escorted by a destroyer. During the run-up at mast height to attack one of the merchant vessels, there was intense fire from the merchant vessels, also from the destroyer. In spite of the opposition, Sergeant Gillman pressed home his attack and though his aircraft was hit several times, he scored two direct hits. The ship shortly afterwards was enveloped in thick black smoke which rose to a great height. Last seen, the ship was on fire with a pall of smoke to 2,000 feet. As a result of this courageous action one ship is claimed as seriously damaged and probably sunk.’ Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air London Gazette 2 June 1962: Captain Ronald Edward Gillman, D.F.C., D.F.M., Senior Training Captain, British European Airways Corporation. Ronald Edward Gillman was born at Thornton Heath, Surrey, on 31 January 1921 and joined the Royal Air force in November 1940. Posted to 17 Operational Training Unit (Blenheims) at Upwood in May 1941, he received his first operational posting to 114 Squadron in July 1941, based at R.A.F. West Roynham. His first operational sortie, as Pilot of Blenheim Mk IV 2224, was attacking a convoy off the French coast on 8 September 1941; a week later he attacked a convoy off the Frisian Islands, scoring a direct hit on a 5,000 ton merchant vessel. Posted to 107 Squadron, based at R.A.F. Luqa, Malta, at the beginning of November 1941, Gillman took part in the attack on a convoy in the Mediterranean on 8 November, attacking and sinking a 3,000 ton merchant vessel, with his aircraft being hit by machine gun fire. On 17 November he attacked a convoy consisting of one Destroyer and two Merchant Vessels; he claimed three direct hits on one of the merchant vessels, which subsequently sunk, and for the leader of the attack he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal. Further operational sorties that year included an attack on Tripoli harbour on 19 December, during which he encountered fighter opposition and intense flak. Gillman subsequently chronicled his wartime experiences as a Blenheim pilot in Malta in his book ‘The Shiphunters’; reviewed by Group Captain Leonard Cheshire, V.C., Cheshire wrote: ‘It takes one almost into the aircradft itself and enables one to appreciate in remarkable detail what their crews must have experienced. An utterly convincing book, written in a vivid, gripping style.’ Posted to No. 13 Operational Training Unit, R.A.F. Bicester, as a Blenheim Instructor in April 1942, Gillman was commissioned Pilot Officer in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve on 3 February 1943, before being posted to the Royal Air Force’s No. 1. Film Production Unit, based at R.A.F. Benson, on 3 March 1944. The R.A.F’s Film Production Unit had been established in August 1941, No. 1 F.P.U. being the H.Q. unit based at Pinewood Studios, from whence emerged No. 2 F.P.U. to cover operations in the Middle East, No. 3 F.P.U. to cover the Far East and, finally, in April 1944, No. 4 F.P.U. to cover the Normandy landings and operations in North-West Europe. Given that part of their brief was to accompany aircraft on operations, the cameramen shared fully in the risks undertaken by regular aircrew, with 13 R.A.F. P.R.U. cameramen to losing their lives, in addition to others who were taken Prisoner of War. By the War’s end the R.A.F’s cameramen had shot over 1,640,000 feet of newsreels; much of that footage today survives in the collection of the Imperial War Museum. Temporarily attached to Coastal Command, Gillman’s first operational sortie with this unit, flying a Boston 1 aircraft armed only with two Vickers guns, was an attack on enemy destroyers off Ilse de Bas with 404 and 114 Squadrons on 9 June 1944; further operational sorties included ‘filming convoy attack off Frisian Islands’ on 6 July 1944, during which ‘2 Beaus shot down. Flak intense’; ‘Shipping in Les Sables d’Olonne’ on 8 August 1944, ‘Flak intense and accurate. 1 Beau lost’; ‘Operations Den Helder’ on 23 September 1944, ‘Gasometer set afire. Radio station beaten up’; and ‘Operations Den Helder’ on 25 September 1944, ‘Flak intense. 5 aircraft lost.’ For his services as with the Film Production Unit, Gillman was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Advanced Flying Officer on 23 December 1944, Gillman relinquished his commission in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve following the cessation of hostilities, and subsequently took up employment with British European Airways Corporation. Ultimately serving as B.E.A.’s Chief Training Captain, he was awarded a Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air. He subsequently chronicled his ...

This elegant Lladro porcelain figurine, titled Poetry of Love (01015442), features a young couple seated on an intricately designed bench with a lamb at their feet. The boy is reading a book while the girl listens attentively, evoking a serene and romantic atmosphere. Crafted in a rare matte finish, this piece highlights Lladro's skill in capturing delicate expressions and fine details in soft pastel tones. The figurine bears the Lladro backstamp on the base.Dimensions: 8.5"HCountry of Origin: SpainCondition: Age related wear.

The rare Second War crossing of the Elbe M.M. awarded to Marine D. Towler, 45 Commando, Royal Marines. As a sniper at the crossing of the Rhine in March 1945, ‘he kept the Huns jittery near the factory area in Wesel’, where he ‘killed at least ten and wounded others in thirty-six hours fighting’; as his Troop’s Bren gunner at the Elbe crossing in April 1945, he faced off two enemy attacks: ‘two dead Germans were within 10 yards of his gun and eleven others dead or wounded in the immediate vicinity’ Military Medal, G.VI.R. (EX.4188 Mne. D. Towler. R. Marines.) in its named card box of issue, extremely fine £1,800-£2,200 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- M.M. London Gazette 7 August 1945: ‘For distinguished service whilst attached to the Allied Armies in the invasion operations in North-West Europe.’ The original recommendation states: ‘On the night of the Elbe crossing Mne. Towler was a Bren Gunner in D Troop 45 RM Commando. His Troop became involved in confused street fighting in the dark on its way to its objective. Mne. Towler was ordered to take up a position to cover a flank whilst his Troop pushed on. He selected a position in a house and engaged the enemy immediately. A section attack was put in against his house by the enemy. This was beaten off by steady and accurate shooting. As his ammunition was getting low, Mne. Towler sent his No. 2 of the gun to get more. During his absence another attempt was made by the enemy to dislodge Mne. Towler. Again this was beaten off. When his No. 2 returned together with a sub section to assist, there was only one magazine left containing a few rounds. Two dead Germans were within ten yards of the gun and eleven other dead or wounded in the immediate vicinity. Although Mne. Towler was not actually wounded he was considerably grazed by brick splinters and stones raised by the 2cm. flak guns which were used against his position. Mne. Towler's tenacity and determination was largely responsible for this troop being able to push on, without undue interference, to their objective.’ Douglas Towler was an employee of the Northern Co-operative Dairies in Aberdeen prior to joining the Royal Marines. Having then volunteered for special service, he joined 45 R.M. Commando on its formation in August 1943. As part of the 1st Special Service Brigade under Brigadier Lord Lovat, ‘45’ took heavy casualties on coming ashore on Gold Beach on D-Day, suffering a loss of three officers and 17 men killed or wounded, and one officer and 28 men missing. Those grim statistics were depressingly enlarged upon in the coming weeks of the Normandy campaign, up until ‘45’s’ withdrawal to the U.K. for a ‘refit’ in September 1944 Now part of First Commando Brigade, ‘45’ returned to an operational footing in Holland in January 1945, and was quickly in action at the battle of Montforterbeek, where Lance-Corporal Eric Harden of the R.A.M.C., attached to the Commando, gained a posthumous V.C. A costly attack on Belle Isle on the Mass having followed, among other actions, Towler and his comrades were next deployed to the crossing of the Rhine on the night of 23-24 March 1945. Their objective was Wesel, where Towler received a shrapnel wound but remained on duty. In fact, as evidenced by an accompanying local newspaper report, he took a heavy toll on the enemy: ‘Marine Dougles Towler of 12 Hayton Road, Aberdeen, a former employee of the Northern Co-operative Dairies, was the Commando man who kept the Huns jittery near a factory area in Wesel after the Rhine crossing. With the Jerries sometimes only twenty-five yards away, Towler, a sniper, kept picking them off and killed at least ten and wounded others in thirty-six hours’ fighting. “As the Huns were so near,” he said, “I kept changing my position in case they started mortaring me. Every time one showed himself, I let go at him. I was in the factory area on one side of the railway and the Germans on the other side of the railway lines. On one occasion I noticed they were forming up for a counter-attack, so I covered a little gap in the hedge. Sure enough, the Jerries kept passing by, and I just shot them down. The counter-attack never materialised. A German twelve-man patrol once approached my position, so I opened fire, and the patrol disappeared. As the enemy were so near the only answer was sniping to make them keep their heads down and keep them jittery. I saw many of them when I fired just cut their equipment off and make a bolt for it.” Towler is regarded among his Commando officers as a man who always keeps his finger on the trigger.’ Indeed, Towler certainly lived up to his reputation in Operation ‘Enterprise’, the Elbe crossing on the night of 28-29 April 1945, when ‘45’ were embarked in Buffaloes before advancing on the town of Lauenberg. Here, as cited above, he performed most gallant work in facing off two spirited German attacks with his Bren gun, thereby adding to his growing tally of enemy dead. In his book Commando Men, Bryan Samain relates the story of how Towler’s ‘B’ Troop carried out an attack on an enemy ack-ack battery the following day. In it he refers to ‘a young Scots Bren-gunner, Marine Norman Towler’. Given the latter’s fearless conduct on that occasion, it seems more likely it was in fact Douglas Towler: ‘Moving off under the command of John Day, the Troop closed to within one hundred yards of the battery. At this stage the Germans suddenly opened up, spraying the road and surrounding buildings with a vicious fusillade of 37-millimetre shells. Baker Troop immediately scattered for cover, and the whole street became alive with orange-coloured flashes as the shells smacked and roared into the already shattered fabric of blasted buildings. The men of Baker Troop crouched low behind what cover they could find, awaiting the order to move forward and assault the battery. Meanwhile, as John Day started to shout preliminary orders above the roar of gunfire, a young Scots Bren-gunner, Marine Norman Towler, got to his feet and coolly returned the enemy fire from an exposed position. For some unknown reason the Germans suddenly stopped firing. Perhaps they were too flabbergasted by Towler’s action to continue: but whatever the reason, it made them lose the day, for Baker Troop seized the initiative and rushed the battery. Within minutes the guns had all been overrun, and something like fifty prisoners rounded up, including some German W.A.A.F.s, who emerged coyly from a series of dugouts.’ Towler was discharged from the Commandos in November 1945, when he was described as ‘an exceptionally fine, upstanding type of soldier.’ Sold with a quantity of original documents, including the recipient’s Buckingham Palace forwarding letter for his M.M., his C.O.’s testimonial and character reference, and a letter to his wife regarding his shrapnel wounds in March 1945, together with some wartime newspaper cuttings and a copy of Bryan Samain’s book Commando Men.

The extremely rare Second War ‘V.C. action’ honorary D.S.M. group of eight awarded to Lieutenant E. Obelkevitch, United States Navy, who was decorated for his gallantry in the famous assault on Oran harbour in November 1942, when he saved numerous lives aboard the stricken ex-U.S. cutter H.M.S. Hartland Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (Mr. E. Obelkevitch. Gnr. U.S.N. H.M.S. Hartland.) impressed naming; U.S.A., Medal for Military Merit; U.S.A., Purple Heart; U.S.A., Navy Long Service; U.S.A., Defense; U.S.A., Campaign; U.S.A., European, African and Middle East Campaign,with three bronze stars; U.S.A., War Medal, these seven American awards added for display purposes and mounted for display in precedence to the D.S.M., extremely fine (8) £4,000-£5,000 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Just 17 honorary awards of the D.S.M. were made to the United States Navy in the Second World War. Such awards were not gazetted but the original recommendation signed by Admiral of the Fleet ‘ABC’ Cunningham at Algiers on 13 October 1943 states: ‘On 8 November 1942, H.M.S. Hartland, flying the British and United States Ensigns, entered Oran under heavy fire in an attempt to prevent the sabotage of the port. Gunner Obelkevitch was leader of a boarding party. When this unit was wiped out by the explosion of a shell, he attempted to organise a hopeless attempt to extinguish the fires. His courage and initiative were an outstanding example and inspiration. He was ultimately instrumental in saving many lives of wounded men and remained on board after the deck was red hot and the ship in danger of blowing up at any moment.’ Edward Obelkevitch was born in Dickson City, Pennsylvania on 13 August 1900, and joined the United States Navy in December 1918. A Gunner (T.) by the time of the Second World War, he was appointed to command a boarding party from the ex-U.S. cutter H.M.S. Hartland in the famous attack on the port of Oran on 8 November 1942, for which action Captain F. T. Peters, D.S.O., D.S.C., R.N., overall commander of the operation in H.M.S. Walney, was awarded the Victoria Cross. Described as a ‘miniature Zeebrugge’ the assault on Oran resulted in terrible casualties, both Hartland and Walney being sunk by a torrent of point-blank fire. In his book The Turn of the Road, ex-naval officer Sir Lewis Ritchie describes the unfolding scene of carnage as Hartland came under withering fire, and pays tribute to Obelkevitch’s gallant deeds: ‘In the meanwhile, Hartland had been picked up in the searchlight and came under a devastating fire from the shore battery. The entire guns’ crews were wiped out and a steam pipe was severed, drowning everything in the noise of escaping steam. The Captain was temporarily blinded by a splinter and wounded in the leg, and before he could recover, Hartland struck the breakwater. Regaining the sight of one eye, he put the engines astern and manoeuvred his ship through the entrance, heading her for the appointed objective; this brought Hartland under point-blank fire from a French destroyer. Shells burst in the motor-room and all power failed; they also burst in the spaces where troops were waiting assembled to land, transforming them into a shambles. With fires raging fore and aft, Hartland’s way carried her alongside the mole. Lieutenant-Commander Dickey, U.S.N., calling on his men to follow him, leaped ashore to attempt to seize a trawler alongside. Only one unwounded man was able to follow him. The dead lay heaped so thick on the upper deck that the wounded could not get at the hoses to fight the fires. The First Lieutenant, Lieutenant V. A. Hickson, R.N., made a gallant effort to pass a wire ashore, but there was no one left to man it effectively. The wind now caught the ship and she began to drift helplessly out into the harbour. Lieutenant Hickson blundered forward through a tempest of machine-gun bullets and let go the anchor. The flames, funnel-high, lit the White Ensign and “Old Glory” at peak and masthead above the careless sprawling dead, and tinged the smoke rolling away to leeward across the quiet waters of the harbour with a fierce and bloody glare. As if appalled at the sight of this blazing sacrifice, the French at last ceased fire. Then, and not until then, Lieutenant-Commander Billot gave the order to abandon ship. The deck was red hot: blinded with blood and twice more wounded, he clung to the rail, summoning strength to leave the ship. Lieutenant E. G. Lawrence, R.N.V.R., and Gunner Obelkevitch, U.S.N., who had fought the fires almost single-handed to the last, swam ashore, seized the French trawler’s dingy by force, paddled her with floorboards back to where their Captain clung to a scramble net. They hauled him into the boat and he urged them in a whisper to pull for the open sea and freedom. He was fainting from his wounds; they had only the floorboards with which to row and were covered in every direction by rifles and machine-guns … they were taken prisoner as they landed.’ Obelkevitch was held by the Vichy-French until the advancing Allies liberated him a few days later, following which he was promoted to Chief Gunner and awarded the British D.S.M. A qualified diver, he was subsequently commissioned Lieutenant and served out the war as a salvage officer. Obelkevitch retired from the U.S. Navy in April 1949, and died in California in March 1971. Sold with extensive copied research.

The rare Arctic convoy PQ-17 B.E.M and Soviet Red Star group of five awarded to Chief Steward R. Quick, Merchant Navy, who survived the loss of the Empire Byron in PQ-17 in July 1942, and an inquisitive U-boat officer who suspected he was the ship’s Master British Empire Medal, (Civil), G.VI.R., 1st issue (Robert Quick); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939 -45; U.S.S.R., Order of the Red Star, the reverse officially numbered, ‘70811’, mounted for display, extremely fine (5) £1,200-£1,600 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Provenance: Spink, November 2000. Approximately 20 Soviet Red Stars were awarded to Allied personnel for the 1939-45 War, six of them to members of the Merchant Navy. B.E.M. London Gazette 1 January 1943. The original recommendation states: ‘Chief Officer Prance and Steward Robert Quick were shipmates in a vessel which made three voyages to Russia in the Empire Byron. On her last voyage she was subjected to constant air and sea attack. Despite his previous experiences on the North Russian route, Steward Quick re-engaged in this vessel for a further voyage and faced unflinchingly all dangers and hazards.’ Soviet Red Star London Gazette 17 November 1942: ‘In recognition of gallantry in the convoying of ships to northern ports of the Soviet Union.’ Robert Quick was born in St. Ives, Cornwall on 4 May 1881, and was thus aged 61 when he signed on for his voyage in the S.S. Empire Byron on the Arctic run. Unfortunately for him, it was in the ill-fated Arctic convoy PQ-17. Carrying 3,500 tons of military stores, the Empire Byron sailed with the convoy from Reykjavik on 27 June 1942 and, following receipt of the notorious signal for the convoy to ‘scatter’ on 4 July, altered course by 20 degrees to veer away from the main body. At 0827 hours on the 5th, Kapitänleutnant Bielfeld of the U-703 put a torpedo into the Empire Byron’s main engine room, causing a between decks explosion which trapped a dozen Gunners below. The crew abandoned the sinking ship and under the orders of Captain Wharton concentrated in two boats, one of which had an engine. The officers discarded uniform insignia indicating their rank as the Germans would be sure to seek out the ship’s Master and no doubt take him prisoner aboard the U-Boat. Among those compelled to discard such insignia was John Rimington, a Captain in the R.E.M.E., who was to have advised the Russians on their new Churchill tanks. He remained, however, resplendent in a pure white duffel coat. Meanwhile, Empire Byron’s boiler exploded, tearing a gaping hole in the hull. Water then cascaded in and the ship sank with the loss of 18 gunners and ratings. Bielfeld now gave orders for U-703 to surface and closed on the two lifeboats. According to David Irving’s The Destruction of Convoy P.Q. 17, ‘A tall blond officer,’ accompanied by a German seaman in ‘polished leggings toting a machine-gun,’ then descended on to the U-boat’s deck, and began berating the British seamen who were struggling with unfamiliar oars. As they neared the submarine, the German Officer asked, “Why are you Fighting? You aren’t Communists are you? So why do you risk your lives to take tanks to the Bolsheviks? Who is your Captain?” Nobody stirred or answered, and, as related in the same book, the blond ‘German’s eyes fell on the rather distinguished-looking Chief Steward [Quick], but he hastily said he was not the Captain; finally, the officer saw Captain Rimington, and told him to step on to the submarine’s deck; the army captain’s protests went unheeded, and he was taken down below. At the same time, the lifeboats were handed tins of biscuits and apple-juice, and a piece of sausage. “How far is the nearest land?” asked Captain Wharton. “About 250 miles,” answered the blond officer. A klaxon sounded within the submarine, and she submerged, taking the captured Briton with them.’ Thus, cast adrift, 61-year-old Quick subsequently endured the following ordeal, as detailed by Captain Wharton in his official report: ‘We rowed to the S.E. throughout the afternoon of the 6th until the men became exhausted and then at about 1900 hours we took the other lifeboat in tow and started the motor, steered S.E. and making about four knots. A little before 1900 we saw a submarine on the surface astern signalling to a single aircraft which was circling overhead, but neither of them took any notice of us. Our compass was of little use to us, but we had the sun throughout the 24 hours and were able to steer by it and make a good course. We sighted one German plane on the 7th and also a steamer which was on fire and abandoned, but sighted nothing further until 10th when we sighted the corvette Dianella steaming towards us. Her crow’s nest look-out had sighted our red sails, and we were picked up about 1320 on 10th in position 73.48 N. 41.21 E., having been in the boats for five and a half days, and covering 250 miles towards the land. We remained on board the Daniella and landed at Archangel on 16 July.’ Sold with three original Soviet Red Star membership booklets, one of them with a portrait photograph, the other two with annual coupons dated 1942-46 [for annuity?], together with damaged card box of issue for B.E.M.

The rare Military and Naval General Service medal pair awarded to Major-General James Clarke, Royal Marines Military General Service 1793-1814, 1 clasp, Java (James Clarke, 2nd Lieut. R.M.); Naval General Service 1793-1840, 1 clasp, Algiers (James Clarke, 2nd Lieut. R.M.) together with a second Military General Service 1793-1814, 2 clasps, Guadaloupe, Java (Jas. Clarke, Captn. R.M.) the first two with original ribbons with contemporary suspensions attached, edge bruising and contact wear, otherwise nearly very fine, the last with re-affixed suspension, nearly very fine (3) £16,000-£20,000 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Provenance: Bonhams, December 2003, pair from family; M.G.S. with 2 clasps acquired privately in September 2014. Approximately 38 Military General Service medals awarded to Royal Navy and Royal Marine recipients James Clarke was born on 4 August 1788, the oldest son of the late Commander R. W. Clarke, Royal Navy. He joined the Royal Navy in March 1798, aged ten, aboard the sloop Pluto. After serving in her as a Volunteer and Midshipman, he joined the Romney in 1799, on the East India station, where he was successively lent to the hired armed transport Sea Nymphe, employed in conveying artillery and stores to Cosire in the Red Sea, and to the H.E.I.C.'s schooner Lady Popham. In the latter vessel, he was engaged in carrying despatches from Sir Home Popham at Mokha to General Hutchinson at Suez, where he was wrecked on a coral reef off Yembo. Twenty one of the crew drowned, whilst thirteen survived, escaping in two boats and made their way to Jiddah. The Romney returned to England and was paid off in 1803. He entered the Royal Marines as Second Lieutenant on 19 September 1808, and in the early part of 1809 sailed with the troops in the Dolphin for the West Indies, where, joining the Neptune and Pompée, flagships of Sir A. Cochrane, he assisted at the capture of the French gunship D'Haupoult [clasp for this action not claimed] and served on shore in co-operation with the army at the reduction of Gaudeloupe. After the latter event, which took place in February 1810, he returned to England with prisoners on board the Alcmene frigate. His next appointments from December 1810-October 1814, were on Gibraltar, Clarence and President, being employed on the coast of France, the North Sea and River Clyde. In July 1816 for about 3 months he was with Superb with Captain C .Ekins and was present at the bombardment of Algiers. From March- October he was with the Tees and Conqueror. Then he was with Rear Admiral Plampin on the St. Helena station, whence he returned in April 1819. In October 1821 he went to the Impregnable which was flagship of Sir Alexander Cochrane at Plymouth; then on to Ariadne and Andromache at the Cape of Good Hope, from where he came home in September 1825. From May 1830 for three years he was with the Caledonia in the Channel. At the end of February 1837 he was with the Malabar, off Lisbon. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 14 November 1823 and to Captain on 10 July 1837. In December 1837 he left the Caledonia. He was employed in the Calcutta in the Mediterranean and on the coast of Portugal from September 1840 until November 1842; and then into the Impregnable at Devonport from 2 January 1849, until advanced to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, 12 November 1851, the day after his promotion to the brevet rank of Major. He acquired the rank of Colonel on 20 November 1854 and was awarded that of Major-General 20 February 1857. He married in 1817 and again in 1837, and had one son from the first marriage and one son and two daughters from the second. The book Naval Medals by K. J. Douglas-Morris mentions an M.G.S. to him but with clasp Guadaloupe (p. 156), as does British Battles and Medals, where there is also reference to a Naval Medal. There is no reference to the N.G.S. medal in the roll by Colin Message. His correct entitlement should be the clasp for Gualaloupe only on the M.G.S., together with the N.G.S. for Algiers, as confirmed in the Army List up to his death in 1873.

A rare 1920s pocket-sized book of explicit pornography, 24 images in total, board ends, total size 12 x 8cm

Sporting Pictures at Lavington Park 1927 signed by Lord Woolavington Cover and end papers darkened but book clean. 163 pages with many illustrations. Rare book. Parchment? cover.

The Habit and The Horse Rare side saddle book. Cover stained and some pages foxed.

Equestria collectibles reference Prahistorische Bronzefunde publihed by C.H.Beck'sche Munchen. Extensive reference of early horse bits and find places. Pub cica 1980 this is now a very rare book.

Catalogue of the Speed exhibition 1955 wonderful reference book for early saddlery, bits and stirrups. Very rare.. Paper back in very good condition.

Rare and wonderful book of McLean and other print copies, which looks like a collection of favourites of Mr G. C. Stratford Handcock. Great quality prints bound in handsome leather with marbled paper ends.

Registration – P621 AYJChassis No. – JT164ATL000069535M.O.T. – NOOdometer – 80,000To celebrate 25 years of the Toyota Celica, the 25th Anniversary Limited Edition was released in limited numbers. Just 500 were produced with 250 in a silver livery and 250 in black. ‘P621AYJ’ is one of those 250 in silver and is noted as number 214 of 500. It has been in current ownership for around four and a half years and spent the last two of those in a storage barn. Five previous keepers are recorded for ‘P621AYJ’ and MOT records show that just 9,000 miles have been covered in the last 19 years bringing the total to around 80,000 miles. ‘P621AYJ’ was last MOT’d in 2022 at 80,967 miles. ‘P621AYJ’ comes with some service history and its original book pack. A new battery has been fitted and the fuel refreshed with the Celica now reported to be running well. Some recommissioning will most likely be required.The Celica 25th Anniversary was based on the 1.8 ST model but with special alloy wheels, sport bucket seats, air conditioning as standard, a carbon fibre effect front console and a 25th anniversary plaque with a unique serial number. ‘P621AYJ’ also exhibits the body coloured side skirts and prominent boot spoiler of the special edition model. Those special, six double spoke alloy wheels are present and are now pretty rare in themselves. ‘P621AYJ’ also features the special Celica emblazoned front seats associated with this special edition car. These are along with the sleek carbon fibre centre consul and 25th Anniversary plaque. Bodywork, paintwork and interior are all vendor rated as “good.”‘P621AYJ’ represents the sixth generation of Toyota Celica and had inherited the looks of the bigger Supra. Mechanically, the specification remains the same as the 1.8 ST which means the 1.8-litre 7A-FE four cylinder petrol engine is fitted. This was originally rated at around 115PS and in ‘P621AYJ’ this is mated to a five speed manual gearbox. Toyotas of this period are noted for their over-engineered nature and longevity which bodes very well for this 80,000 mile example.In summary:· Coming from two years of barn storage· A rare example of the 25th Anniversary Edition with just 250 ever produced in silver· Presenting in a highly original condition with key special edition features

Registration – RX52 NMMChassis No. – WBADT62020CK17246M.O.T. – November 2025Odometer – 135,000‘RX52NMM’ is a well presented example of the E39, or fourth generation of BMW’s 5 Series executive saloon. ‘RX52NMM’is finished in the rare and eye-catching BMW Individual colour of Mora Metallic. ‘RX52NMM’ is a three litre, straight six example with a five speed automatic transmission. Having covered around 135,000 miles to date, ‘RX52NMM’s’ recent use has been light with under 15,000 miles covered in the last 10 years. ‘RX52NMM’ has been in its current ownership since August 2024 but has benefited from much well-chosen maintenance in that time. Additionally, a service book stamped up to 129,000 is also present. ‘RX52NMM’ currently holds an MOT until November 2025 so is ready use immediately. ‘RX52NMM’ holds a category D insurance marker from August 2017.The E39 BMW was the first 5 Series released under the auspices of BMW design guru, Chris Bangle. The 530i model appeared in the year 2000 and utilised the straight six M54B30 engine producing around 228 bhp. The mechanical systems of ‘RX52NMM’ have benefited from diligent upkeep, too. In current ownership work includes new rocker cover gasket, new Meyle shock absorbers, rear differential seals and fresh oil, exhaust gasket fitted, new lower chain tensioner and a full Vanos rebuild. As well as this, two new front tyres have been fitted, both jacking points have been inspected and deemed structurally sound, and a new windscreen and rubber has been fitted.‘RX52NMM’ is a striking looking car thanks to that rare Mora Metallic livery. The sumptuous interior is trimmed in cream leather which contrasts perfectly with the striking exterior treatment. This is a well equipped luxury saloon, too. Refinements include M Sport Pack, rear blinds and electric rear window blind, shadow line trim, smokers pack and M Sport parallels. ‘RX52NMM’ is also fitted with a Bluetooth aftermarket head unit and aftermarket reversing camera. The vendor rates the engine, transmission and electrics as “good” and the paint, bodywork and interior as “average.” Some minor surface rust is noted around some of the wheel arches and around the bottom of a rear door.In summary:· A well specified example of the E39 BMW 5 Series· Boasting a fine service history and much maintenance work recently done· Offered in a striking colourway of Mora Metallic over cream leather

Registration – NT54 HLHChassis No. – ZAR93700005131430M.O.T. – September 2025Odometer – 64,370The Alfa Romeo 147 was launched in 2000 as a replacement for the 145 / 146 model range. By 2001 it had scooped the prestigious European Car of the Year Award and in 2002 the mighty 3.2-litre GTA was launched. ‘NT54 HTH’ is a GTA hailing from 2004 and used for most of its life on the salt-free roads of Japan. ‘NT54 HTH’ was first registered in the UK in October 2024 and features the rarer Selespeed automated manual gearbox. Of the 5,000 or so GTA’s made only 1,004 were Selespeed equipped. ‘NT54 HTH’ has had just two keepers to date and has covered a recorded 64,491 kilometres (40,072 miles) to date. This GTA holds an advisory free MOT until September 2025 and comes complete with original book pack and a partial service history both here and in Japan. With just 1,004 Selespeeds ever produced ‘NT54 HTH’ represents a rare and exciting ownership prospect for a surprisingly modest outlay.At the heart of the 147 GTA sits the mighty 3.2-litre V6 engine designed by the legendary Giuseppe Busso. In this application the naturally aspirated Busso unit originally delivered just under 250bhp. This is paired with the innovative Selespeed six-speed automated manual transmission which can be operated manually in a sequential manner, via shift paddles in a self-shifting “city mode.” This superb mechanical specification lent the GTA a 150mph plus top speed and a 0-60mph time in the mid six second bracket. The vendor rates ‘NT54 HTH’s’ engine and transmission as “excellent” with the electrics garnering a “good.”‘NT54 HTH’ features a popular and attractive Nuvola Blue livery and sports a set of original “Teledial” alloy wheels in a 17-inch configuration. The open architecture of the wheels allows sight of the red finished Alfa Romeo inscribed callipers. The cabin of ‘NT54 HTH’ is finished in a practical black fabric with light, horizonal flecks running through it. Factory Bose speakers are fitted as are heated front seats and a contemporary double DIN multimedia screen. The level of originality on show here is admirably high throughout. The paintwork, bodywork and interior all gain vendor ratings of “good.”In summary:· One of just over 1,000 147 GTA Selespeeds made· A two owner car with an eminently sensible mileage· Complete with a partial service history and valid, advisory free MOT

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS BERT WILLIAMS AUTOGRAPHED ALL STAR FOOTBALL BOOK Book has original Dust cover in very good condition which is rare Ref RL

Deans Rag Book Co. Limited Edition 3 of 35 Teddy Bear "Mr. Frosty" A rare Deans Rag Book Company collectible teddy bear, numbered 3 of a limited edition of 35. Named "Mr. Frosty," this bear features soft grey and brown plush fur, complemented by a cream knitted hat and scarf ensemble with pom-pom details. The authenticity is confirmed by an original Deans label on the footpad.

Cecil ALDIN (1870-1935), Exceedingly rare Dean's ragbooks No. 217 'Cecil Aldin's Farm Book' and No. 270 'The Animals Picnic' by Clifton Bingham. includes Neil Miller's 'Dean's Rag Book The First 100 Years' (3)

Comic Book Marketplace Magazine: a group of 96 issues (Gemstone Publications, 1995-2005).A large collection of Comic Book Marketplace magazine, a gemstone monthly publication featuring articles, interviews, price-guides and industry information on Golden and Silver-Age comics. This lot represents a vast resource of information and knowledge for the interested collector in vintage and rare comic books.This lot features:Comic Book Marketplace (1st series) Nos. 22-29, 31-38, 40, 42-53, 55-121Oversize format: 27 cm x 21 cm. All copies 1st print, US Cents Copies.High-Grade condition.Appearing as new.Issues complete without cut coupons or missing pages.~(96)Condition Report: High-Grade condition.Appearing as new.

Joe Kuberts Enemy Ace Artists edition: sealed book with original box (IDW Publishing, 2014).Considered by many to be Joe Kuberts most powerful and divisive work. Collecting Star Spangled War Stories Nos. 139, 140, 141, 142 144, in addition to rare cover preliminary works by Kubert, and a short Enemy Ace story pencilled and inked by Russ Heath. Each page produced in one photograph from the original studio page art. 1st edition. 216 pages, hardcover.High-Grade condition. Book in new and factory sealed condition. With original box.Full size: 44cm x 31.5cm~(1)Condition Report: High-Grade condition. Sealed.

This collection comprises six books dedicated to historic ocean liners, focusing on engineering, construction, and legacy. Included are early technical publications on the Cunard Line's Mauretania, Lusitania, and Aquitania, each detailing the design and turbine-driven propulsion systems of these legendary vessels. Also featured is a rare edition dedicated to the Normandie, a renowned French luxury liner, as well as two later volumes: The Second Mauretania 1939-65 and an expanded reproduction of the 1907 commemorative edition of Mauretania. This set also includes a rare and historically significant souvenir booklet commemorating the Diamond Jubilee Naval Review at Spithead on June 26, 1897, celebrating Queen Victoria's 60th year on the throne. Published by Marion & Co., London, this edition features copyright photographs by G. West & Son, Naval Photographers, Southsea, documenting the grand maritime display of the Royal Navy and international fleets. These books provide an invaluable resource for maritime historians, ship enthusiasts, and collectors, offering a comprehensive look into the golden age of transatlantic travel. Condition varies, with some wear consistent with age. Dimensions: Largest book: 11"L x 1"W x 14.25"HCondition: Age related wear.

Bees.- Butler (Rev. Charles) The Feminine Monarchie or a treatise concerning bees, and the due ordering of them, first edition, woodcut printer's device to title, illustrations within text of C7r&v, musical notation to F1r, decorative initials and head- and tail-pieces, occasional early ink marginalia, title with inner margin wormed (with loss of first two letters of 'Feminine' and 'Printed' in imprint), chipping to outer margin, and soiled, a2-4 (To the reader), A1, D1 and O4 (final f.) inner margin wormed, affecting a few letters at some line ends (without loss of sense), C2 small tear to lower corner (affecting part of printed sidenote recto and verso), D8 outer margin trimmed (affecting some printed sidenotes) and loose, a few ff. with worming to inner margin, water-stained (causing some mostly marginal purple damp-staining to sigs. N&O at end), some spotting, lightly browned, some corners creased, remains of contemporary limp vellum, [British Bee Books 18; Walker Catalogue p.11; Madan I, p.73; STC 4192], 8vo, Oxford, Printed by Joseph Barnes, 1609.  *** 'This is the greatest early British bee book and contains the best account of skep beekeeping which is available today' (British Bee Books). The first edition is exceedingly rare at auction, and we must go back to 1933 to find a copy (which was in poor condition). The woodcut musical notation (the first music printed at Oxford, according to Madan) was an attempt to capture the piping of the queen at swarming time. Our copy enhanced by early ink annotation. Provenance: Thomas Bryan Richards, F.S.A., 13th June, 1804 (ink inscription to title); The Holland-Leathwood family of Dam Head Farm Estate, Mobberley, Cheshire, and by descent thereafter. 

Defeat of the Spanish Armada, 1589, a silver jeton, unsigned, Elizabeth I seated left in car, holding palm branch and open prayer book, tandem bona cavsa triumphat, rev. si non viribus at cavsa potiores, tree with fledglings in nest fighting off bird of prey, 29mm, 5.79g (MI I, 153/128; v. Loon I, 388; E 63). Good very fine, cleaned, very rare in silver £240-£300 --- Provenance: C. Foley Collection, Woolley & Wallis Auction (Salisbury), 16 October 2014, lot 86 A service of thanksgiving for the victory was held at St Paul’s Cathedral on 20 August 1588. The current piece was struck not in London but in Dordrecht, Holland, by Elizabeth’s Protestant Dutch allies in the war against Spain.

Charles I (1625-1649), Aberystwyth mint, Shilling, mm. book [1638-42], large bust, small mark of value, no inner circle, rev. plume over shield, long bands to plume, beaded inner circle, 5.74g/10h (Morr. A-2; SCBI Brooker 749, same obv. die; N 2329; S 2882). Officially pierced and since plugged, attractively toned, about very fine and rare £400-£500 --- Provenance: Second Adams Family Collection, Massachusetts Historical Society Collection, Part II, Stack’s Auction (New York), 17-18 September 1971, lot 950 (part); A. Morris Collection; Bt Lloyd Bennett, January 2005; M. Bull Collection

19TH CENTURY SCOTTISH FOOTBALL INTEREST; a rare and important collection of early Scottish football memorabilia, all relating to James Bryden Niven, Moffat, Dumfriesshire (10th February 1861-1933), comprising an 1885 Scottish International cap awarded for having played in the 8-2 defeat of Ireland on 14th March 1885 (played at the second Hampden Park), the Scotland vs Ireland 1885 cloth badge worn on the football shirt, a black and white photograph showing Niven wearing the cap, football outfit and shirt showing the cloth badge, a nearly full book titled 'A Scottish Football Story' written by James B Niven 'with a review of my old club and career of the Reverend W H Churchill', published by Courier and Herald offices in Dumfries, and a larger black and white image on cardboard depicting Niven wearing cap, white shirt, cloth badge and football boots. Provenance: The items are offered for sale by the grandson of James Bryden Niven.

Borgeaud-Strenz, Jeanne-Charlotte-Eugénie, formerly Jeanne Aumont-Strenz (French, 1873-1962); b. Paris FRANCE, Méditation, 1904, an Art Nouveau bronze plaque by Jeanne Borgeaud-Strenz, young female to left, holding the page of a book with her left hand, rev. flowering pansies, edge impressed bronze and cornucopia, 63 x 50mm, 103.02g (CGMP p.52; BM Acq. 1978-82, pl. 35, 16; BDM I, 217; cf. Stack’s/Bowers 182, 2097). Softly modelled, very fine, rare £60-£80 --- Provenance: DNW Auction 42, 8 September 1999, lot 1438; bt Simmons

James Bond 007 The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) Corgi 269 James Bond Lotus Esprit from 'The Spy Who Loved Me', boxed, with The New James Bond Corgi Cover and promotional literature folder, with heart invite and synopsis for the film; (6) Rare version in RED OVER-SLEEVE - these were given out to VIPs and the Press at the Corgi Press Launch. Please refer to Dave Worrals Book on this itemCondition Report: CR:- Appears unused and with original box. Near mint condition. Recommended to view.

AMENDED DESCRIPTION: James Bond 007 Ken Adam Designs The Movies James Bond and Beyond, Signed Edition Book by Ken Adam & Christopher Frayling, Thames & Hudson Ltd, 2008, first edition hardback book, signed by Ken Adam & Christopher Frayling to title page in permanent black marker, black titles to spine on silver boards, dust wrapper, unclipped, book states 265 illustrations, 155 in colour, pp232, 9 x 13 inches; (1)Condition Report: CR:- Both wrapper and book in fine condition. Rare with both signatures

Binding - Clarkson (Christopher, 1938-2017). Bindings in Cambridge Libraries, by Geoffrey Dudley Hobson, Cambridge: University Press, 1929, colour frontispiece, monochrome and colour plates, doublure endpapers decorated with rubbings taken from a German Gothic blind-stamped binding, all edges gilt, modern yellow ochre Nigerian goatskin by Christopher Clarkson, intricate blind decoration design based on the Cambridge Colleges, each identified by a platinum-tooled shield with finely painted coat of arms to each, gilt and blind decorated path or large roundel effect encompassing whole binding bringing together design, title to spine in platinum, folio (37.3 x 23.5 cm), contained in book box, together with 26 brass finishing tool heads designed and made by Clarkson to undertake the decoration on the binding, and 34 brass type heads which were used on the binding, contained together in small hardwood stand, plus a selection of original artwork, designs, practice blind-work samples and mounted exhibition photo boards relating to the binding QTY: (-)NOTE:Provenance: Christopher Clarkson (1938-2017); thence by descent.This publication was produced in a limited edition of 230 copies for sale.Christopher Clarkson (1938-2017) was one of the world's leading authorities in the conservation of medieval manuscripts and early printed books and a highly respected historian on the subject. Christopher was born in Blackheath from an early age showed an interest in art, attending art classes at the Whitechapel Art Gallery on Saturday mornings, before attending the Junior Art School at Camberwell College of Arts and Crafts at the age of 13, progressing to the Senior Art School at the age of 15. At 17 he gained his National Diploma in Design and took a part-time position at Camberwell assisting Frank Martin in teaching wood engraving, lettering and illuminating under Vernon Shearer. He later attended the Royal College of Art from 1960-1963, additionally studying fine binding for his last two years there. Whilst there he had to complete twelve bindings for his final diploma show (the bindings by Clarkson in this auction are understood to date from this time). At the same time, he assisted Howard Nixon at the British Museum with his bookbinding rubbing project. He graduated from the Royal College of Art in 1963 with an ARCA Diploma in Graphic Art and as a result, was invited by Jeff Clements to teach at the Plymouth School of Art and Design. In 1964 he worked under Tony Cains at Douglas Cockerell & Son which was run by Sydney Cockerell. In late 1966 he joined the English Government team in Florence to help conserve the flood-damaged volumes and manuscripts, working with Tony Cains, Peter Waters, Don Etherington and Roger and Rita Powell. It was during this time that he and fellow binders formulated the principles of book conservation. In 1972 he was appointed Head of Rare Book Preservation at the Library of Congress, Washington. He later held a position at The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore, being the first conservator of their manuscript collection, before, in 1979 accepting the post as the first Conservation Technical Officer at the Bodleian Library, Oxford. From 1987-1998 he taught at West Dean College and on his return to Oxford set up in private practice, working as a consultant to the Bodleian Library, The Wordsworth Library and Hereford Cathedral Mappa Mundi Trust and Chained Library. In 2004 Christopher was awarded the Plowden Gold Medal of the Royal Warrant Holders Association in recognition of his contribution to the conservation profession.

Ireland (Samuel William Henry, editor). Life of Napoleon Bonaparte, 4 volumes, 1st edition, 1st issue, volumes I-III, London: John Fairburn; volume IV, London: John Cumberland, 1823-28, half-titles for volumes I-II, 27 fine folding engraved plates by George Cruikshank, all but 3 hand-coloured, some light offsetting from plates to text, all edges gilt, later crimson full morocco by Morrell, covers with panel design and Napoleonic emblems to corners, spines with raised bands, lettered and decorated with Napoleonic emblems in compartments, 8vo QTY: (4)NOTE:Abbey Life 359; Tooley 278. A handsome set.'Issued originally in parts, Volumes I, II and III by Fairburn, and Volume IV by Cumberland. Fairburn evidently relinquished his rights in the book, on completion of the third volume, to Cumberland, who inset his engraved titles with the printed titles of Fairburn. The priority of Fairburn is evidenced by his titles carrying a sequence of dates from 1823, whereas the four titles of Cumberland are dated on completion in 1828 .The Fairburn venture must have been unsuccessful, for sets carrying his imprints are very unusual, and examples of the three printed titles definitely rare. Early printings of the text can also be recognized from the chapter summaries; in the first state they are longer, the summaries filling a page or more, whereas later printings are contracted. Pages 41 and 42 and 115 and 116 in the third volume are cancels. Further, pages 110 to 115 in Volume III are repeated, the discrepancy being noted by the second run being starred.' (Abbey).

4th-6th century A.D. Octagonal in plan with chamfered edges to the marble surface; engraved central square with birds in the upper corners and spandrels below, enclosing a bilinear ring with menorah on a stand between etrog and lulav; mounted on a custom-made stand. Exhibited at the Harwich Museum, Harwich, Essex, UK, 21st January-10th March 2025; accompanied by a copy of a photograph of the artefacts on display. 577 grams total, 14.2 cm including stand (5 5/8 in.). From an important UK collection, London, 1970-1990s. Ex London, UK, collection. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12527-231879.An extremely rare and fine example of the type. The menorah is first mentioned in the Book of Exodus (25:31–40), according to which the design of the lamp was revealed to Moses by God on Mount Sinai. The candlestick was to be forged out of a single piece of gold and was to have six branches, ‘three on one side, and three on the other’, There are no extant images of the menorah from the First Temple period, but many examples dating from the Second Temple period have been recorded. The menorah was often depicted flanked by symbolic ritual objects. Here, with what appear to be the etrog (citron) and lulav (date-palm branch) of the festival of Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles). A new Menorah was installed in the Second Temple, built after the return from exile in Babylon. This was looted by Antiochos Epiphanes in 169 BCE when he desecrated the Temple.  With tragic wit, the Jews named him Epimanes, or ‘the madman’, when it became apparent that his policies were violently anti-Jewish. However, after the Maccabean Revolt (167-160 BCE) Judas Maccabeus ordered the construction of a new seven-branched candelabra to be placed in the Temple. The rededication is still celebrated with the festival of Hanukkah (‘to dedicate’). According to rabbinic tradition, the victorious Maccabees could only find a small jug of pure olive oil uncontaminated by virtue of a seal, and although it only contained enough oil to sustain the Menorah for one day, it miraculously lasted for eight days, by which time further oil had been found. The Menorah was subject to Roman plunder after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE; according to Josephus, it was displayed during the Roman triumphal march, the scene of which is famously depicted in a frieze on the Arch of Titus along with other spoils of the destroyed temple. For centuries, the Menorah and the other temple treasures were displayed as war booty in the Templum Pacis in Rome or in the Imperial Palace and was still there when the city was sacked by the Vandals in 455 CE. Although the Menorah disappeared and the Talmud forbade its reconstruction, it became a popular symbol signifying Judaism. Representations of the Menorah often decorated tombs, walls, floors of synagogues and amulets.

England. Stuart, Charles I AR Halfcrown.. 1625-1649. Aberystwyth mint; i.m: book. Struck 1638/9-1642. Spirited horse. •(book)• CAROLVS • D .' G .' MAG .' BRIT .' FRAN .' ET HIB .' REX, King wearing cloak flying from shoulder on horseback to left; holding sword upright with his right hand; no ground, plume before / •(book)• • CHRISTO • AVSPICE • REGNO, large plume above oval quartered shield of arms. SCBI Brooker 745; North 2327; SCBC 2880. 14.70gr, 35mm, 4h. Near Very Fine. Rare. Coin stored in quickslab coin capsule.Property of a County Durham collector.

1920s A.D. and earlier. Containing numerous original photographs of archaeological digs, found artefacts, etc, including digs at Roman sites such as Hadrian's Wall, Colchester, Templeborough, Silchester, Viroconium, Mancunium, Wilderspool and Holt and published images from the Ny Carlsberg Glyptek, Copenhagen; mostly with handwritten identification; with a photograph of the archaeologist T. May M.A. F.S.A. at Richborough and dated 1926 and Wilderspool - possibly the owner of the book; a rare archive of the 1920s British archaeology. 2.03 kg, 26.3 x 20.5 cm (10 3/8 x 8 in.). [No Reserve] Acquired on the English art market circa 2017. Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK, formed since 1985.The Roman furnaces at Wilderspool were excavated in 1905; the photographs are consistent in their appearance with that date.

An original rare membership card for the 2i’s Coffee Club. It is date stamped 1 Feb 1962 on the reverse. The address is printed across the top as ’59, Old Crompton Street, London, W1.’ The 2i's Coffee Club first opened as a coffee shop in the 1950s by the Irani brothers, it changed ownership and became a notable music venue for skiffle groups and discovering new rock artists. Several groups had residency’s including The Vipers, Tommy Steele, The Vagabonds, Cliff Richard & The Drifters and more. In Beatles folklore, the 2i’s Coffee Club is legendary for being the place where Alan William first met German promoter Bruno Koschmider. In mid-1960 Alan William drove to London to try and drum up business in the 2i’s Coffee Club in Soho. In what Williams later described as a ‘million to one chance’, sat in the 2i's on the same night as he arrived in London was Bruno Koschmider. Koschmider wanted to book UK rock ‘n roll bands to play in his club in Hamburg, William was able to supply them. Allan subsequently described the meeting as like ‘Stanley meeting Livingstone’. First he arranged with Koschmider a series of bookings for Derry And The Seniors to play in the Kaiserkeller, followed by a series of bookings for The Beatles to play at the Indra, Hamburg. Paul McCartney commented, ‘What happened was some fella came over from Hamburg wanted rock ‘n roll groups and somehow he got the idea that they were all in London at the 2i’s and someone at the 2i’s, I think, said there were also a couple of groups in Liverpool so Alan Williams became the agent for all the Liverpool groups.’ John, Paul, George, Stu and Pete were on their way… The membership card measures 7cm x 4.5cm (2.7 inches x 1.7 inches). There is light wear to the edges and small creases around the corners, with some small marks on the reverse. The card has been signed on the front in pen. The condition is very good.

Tom Thumb original six-page artwork by Dudley Watkins for The Magic-Beano Book 1948 (pgs 99-104). His Majesty takes his pipe by the fire so Tom and Tinkel decide to make a new 'king-size' one for themselves. They test it out with a smoke and the Princess has to administer castor oil (extra nasty variety!). A rare complete story artwork of Watkin's work at the height of his powers. With the Magic Beano Book for 1948. Indian ink and blue crayon on card. 13 x 9 ins each page

Just two owners from new and under 7,000 milesExtremely rare Atlas Grey MetallicRare configuration of bucket seats with no roll cage, ideal for touringMain dealer service history & freshly serviced by Porsche BrooklandsFollowing the launch of the 911/996, Porsche launched the GT3, the first 996 variant intended for the racetrack. Its 3.6 litre engine was derived from the GT1 and delivered 360bhp at 7,200rpm, offering 60 additional horsepower over the base 3.4 litre motor in the standard Carrera. It was also fitted with adjustable suspension and a unique body kit, including a dual-plane rear wing. The interior featured sports seats, whilst some of the interior trim was removed to keep weight down. Porsche also built a track focussed version of the GT3, dubbed the GT3 Club Sport. Only a handful of differences can be noted in comparison to the GT3, including the fitment of a full roll cage and a Nomex covered driver’s seat with side airbags omitted. Whilst not generally intended for daily driving, this edition was track-ready in every aspect and able to compete in a number of racing series worldwide.This example is one of the very last 996 GT3’s built and is truly one for the collector, having covered less than 7,000 miles from new with two private keepers. Our vendor purchased the car directly from the original owner in December 2022, to add to his collection of similar calibre modern classics. The car was specified in Atlas Grey Metallic (code LM7X) which is an exceedingly rare colour on the 996, as it was only introduced in 2004, the final year of production for the 996. Interestingly, the interior was specified with leather Recaro bucket seats and without the optional roll cage. This gives a vast area for luggage behind the front seats, which would usually be obstructed by a roll cage, making this the ideal configuration for spirited touring. A further addition to the interior is option code 981, leather wrapped dashboard. The service history for this GT3 is extraordinary, having been serviced exclusively by Porsche Tonbridge 12 times with the original owner, then most recently in February 2025 at Porsche Brooklands. Supplied to auction with all manuals and service booklets, invoices to back up every stamp in the book, a V5 registration document and an MoT test certificate valid until January 2026, this GT3 ticks all of the boxes. Consigned by Fraser Smith and Dominic Lake. JUST TWO OWNERS FROM NEW AND UNDER 7,000 MILESEXTREMELY RARE ATLAS GREY METALLICRARE CONFIGURATION OF BUCKET SEATS WITH NO ROLL CAGE, IDEAL FOR TOURINGMAIN DEALER SERVICE HISTORY & FRESHLY SERVICED BY PORSCHE BROOKLANDS

• Recently serviced • SL55 Vane alloy wheels and exhaust The fifth generation of the legendary SL series of two-door convertible sportscars made by Mercedes-Benz was known as the R230. It featured a fully retractable hardtop that was marketed as the Vario Roof; a first for the SL Class although it had been available on the smaller SLK model since 1997. Originally registered on 23rd May 2002, this SL500 cost £69,630 with options. Presented in metallic blue with Black Ash wood trim and black leather interior trim, this example was specified with optional TV tuner, mobile phone (Nokia 6210), Bose sound system, Linguatronic and fire extinguisher with the total price of optional equipment being £2,480. The car was most recently serviced in June 2024, which is detailed in the servicing and maintenance records. Included within the history file is the service book and various invoices along with the MoT test certificate which is valid until August 2025. Described as in wonderful condition throughout, the styling of the car is akin to the SL55 with original and rare SL55 AMG ‘Vane’ alloys and SL55 exhaust providing that incredible sound coupled to the five-litre engine, which is certainly no slouch, a wonderfully sporty yet practical roadster. The SL500 is a classy summer modern classic which is also ideal when the autumn arrives and Vario roof transforms this into a sleek coupé for all seasons. Consigned by Fraser Smith Interested parties should note that the engine management light is illuminated and the roof will not currently open. RECENTLY SERVICED • SL55 VANE ALLOY WHEELS AND EXHAUST