Auctions

THE liveliest auction house during the summer lull is Christie's South Kensington. Its sale of medical instruments - the first dedicated sale - on Thursday (2pm) spans 300 years and offers a pair of spectacles worn by the Duke of Wellington, estimated pounds 300- pounds 400.

Recently discovered wartime film footage is est pounds 500- pounds 600 in South Kensington's sale of transport memorabilia and models, Tuesday (2pm), shows Luftwaffe and Royal Navy aircraft. There are air-to-air and ground-to-air shots of the Messerschmitt Me109, the Junkers Ju97 Stuka and the Blackburn Skua, and what is thought to be the only known footage of the BV141 'Asymmetric' army co-operation and reconnaissance aircraft. Models include 3in:1ft Fowler Road locomotive by A Foster ( pounds 11,000- pounds 13,000).

Also at Christie's South Kensington: Vintage port, fine wine and bin ends, Monday (5pm).

HOUSEHOLD BARGAINS

Three auctioneers are holding off-season sales of household furniture and antiques. With many dealers on holiday, bidding is likely to be less competitive. General sale of furniture, carpets, ceramics, glass, artworks, Phillips Tuesday (11am): a complete late Meissen 12-piece coffee service is est pounds 450- pounds 550 and there is plenty of solid oak furniture. Christie's South Kensington also has a sale of carpets, decorative objects and furniture, Wednesday (10.30am). At Bonhams Chelsea: English and continental furniture and furnishings, Tuesday (10.30am), English and continental ceramics, Wednesday (2pm), Old Master, decorative and modern prints, Thursday (11am). General silver: Bonhams Chelsea, Monday (2pm) and Phillips, Friday (11am).

COUNTRYWIDE

Handforth, Cheshire: On-site sale of about 90 touring caravans and accessories, Tuesday (11.30am) at Northern Caravan Distributors, Wilmslow Road. Charterfields (0742 797 788).

Wilmslow: Principal contents of two local estates: Victorian, Edwardian and reproduction furniture, china, glass, pictures, silver, costume jewellery, household effects, Friday (10.30am) at Wilmslow Rugby Club, Kings Road, Pownall Park. John Maxwell (061 439 5182).

Southampton: Government surplus, including domestic and office furniture, clothing, electrical equipment, tools, Tuesday and Wednesday (9.30am daily) at Forte Posthouse, Herbert Walker Avenue. Viewing at various sites. Austin & Wyatt (0489 893 466).

Bournemouth: Oriental and Persian carpets from a local private residence are among furniture, antiques, artworks, Tuesday and Wednesday (9.30am daily). House & Son, Lansdowne House, Christchurch Road (0202 298044).

Workington: Landscaping contractors' plant and building materials, power tools, a windsurfer and canoe, vehicles, office and household effects, tomorrow (11am) at SET Auction Group (0900 871 818).

Bristol: General sale, Tuesday from 10.30am, metalware, boxes, glass, toys, ceramics, jewellery, vertu, coins, silver, books and ephemera. From 2pm, pictures, clocks, furniture. Bristol Auction Rooms, St John's Place, Apsley Road, Clifton (0272 737201).

Also in Bristol: 18th- to 20th-century ceramics, Prattware, decanters and glasses, metalware, collectables, Thursday (12 noon). Taviners, Prewett Street, Redcliffe (0272 265996).

Nottingham: Stock of an electrical retailer, televisions to toasters, Monday (10am). Neales, 192 Mansfield Road (0602 624 141).

Billingshurst: Two days of antiques and collectables: Thursday (10am) ceramics, glassware, artworks, and from 2pm silver, jewellery, clocks, scientific instruments. Friday (10am) furniture, work boxes, tea caddies, and from 2pm metalwork, carpets, textiles, pictures, artworks. John Bellman, New Pound Business Park, Wisborough Green (0403 700858).

Birmingham: On-site liquidation sale of about pounds 10,000-worth of household furniture, display and office fittings and a van, Tuesday (11am). Osbornes Furnishers, 835 Bristol Road South. Stevens, Champion & Slater (021 643 1942).

FAIRS

Edinburgh: Mammoth, Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Friday-Saturday. (Four in One Promotions; 0455 233495).

West London Antiques, Kensington Town Hall, W8, Thursday- Friday. (Penman Antiques Fairs; 0444 482514).

Countrywide by Antiques Trade Gazette (071-930 4957) and Government Auction News (0686 668851/2, hotline 0891 887700).

Look out for . . .

Truro: Antiques and book fair, City Hall, Fri-Sat. (West Country Antiques and Collectors Fairs; 0225 424677).

Euro Antiques Fair, The Showground, Oswestry, Shropshire, next Sat-Sun (0565 634614).