His ear for a tune and eye for artwork have already helped Lord Lloyd Webber to become a multi-millionaire. Now his lesser-known nose for fine wine is set to add to his fortune.

A new record was set for the world's most expensive printed book at an auction yesterday. A four-volume copy of John James Audubon's Birds of America went for £7,321,250 at Sotheby's in London, surpassing the previous record of £5,565,110 – held by another copy of the same title – and beating the estimate of £4-£6m. The proud new owner, the London dealer Michael Tollemache, described the work as "priceless".

An illuminated 14th-century manuscript containing what is believed to be the oldest surviving account of the legend of King Arthur and the knights of the round table was sold for £2.39m yesterday.

An illuminated 14th century manuscript containing what is believed to be the oldest surviving account of the legends of King Arthur sold today for more than £2 million.

A bracelet owned by Wallis Simpson, whose love affair with Edward VIII led to his abdication, has sold for a world record £4.5 million at auction.

Newly uncovered images by one of the 20th Century's most revered photographers are set to be published for the first time next month, after a unique collection of Cecil Beaton's scrapbooks was found in an archive.

One of the world's rarest diamonds has sold for a record-breaking $46m (£29m), the highest price ever paid for a jewel.

In Gaelic whisky means "water of life" - now a rare bottle has raised £286,000 for a charity that provides safe drinking water in developing countries.

A rare pink diamond to be auctioned next week could set a new world record if it fetches its estimated price of £17m to 24m.

A rare 18th-century Chinese vase found during a house clearance was sold for an astonishing £43m at an auction in west London last night, the total rising to £51.3m once VAT and commission were included.