It was the First World War that prompted the popularity of the wristwatch and the decline of the pocket watch.
This typical silver trench watch above, with an unsigned Swiss movement and a screw-on front and back case with import marks for London 1918, has an estimate of £80-120 at Humbert & Ellis in Towcester on February 6.
humbertellis.com or see this item on thesaleroom.com
This lot above comprises two silver and enamel brooches by Arthur Johnson Smith (both hallmarked for Birmingham 1919). Stamped with the registered number 612981, one is set with five paste stones at a lily of the valley, the other with silver balls as a pea pod. The pair is expected to bring £50-80 at Keys of Aylsham on February 6.
keysauctions.co.uk or see this item on thesaleroom.com
The sale at 1818 Auctioneers in Milnthorpe, Cumbria, on February 10-11 includes a cased pair of William IV silver grape shears marked for Charles Reilly & George Storer and London 1836.
The estimate is £120-180
1818auctioneers.co.uk or see this item on thesaleroom.com
The February 12 sale at Fakenham auction house James & Son includes this scarce group of nine postcards depicting the aftermath of the Bombardment of Hartlepool by the German navy on December 16, 1914.
During a frantic 45 minutes, 130 people were killed and dozens of buildings destroyed or damaged (the scars from shrapnel are still visible today).
Estimate £40-60.
jamesandsonsauctioneers.com or see this item on thesaleroom.com
