A desk made by famous furniture-maker John Townsend goes under the hammer in New York. Plus, two illuminated manuscripts from the Middle Ages go up for auction in London.

Raphael's Head of a Young Apostle breaks records at an auction at Sotheby's. A desk believed to have been made for Madame de Pompadour also goes under the hammer in London.

A first edition of The Tale of Peter Rabbit stands to fetch £20,000 in London. Plus, silverware made for the marriage of Titanic victim John Jacob Astor goes on sale.