Antiques: Everything from diamonds and Marvel comics to rugby 

Des O'Sullivan checks out auctions that offer some exciting gift opportunities

A c1900 enamel, sapphire and rose quartz brooch by Carlo and Arthur Giuliano at O'Reilly's of Francis Street, Dublin.

Jewellery and books make acceptable Christmas presents, so two sales next Wednesday (December 10) have the potential to offer inspiration at across the board price points. Estimates at O'Reilly's of Francis Street, Dublin, who will offer 511 lots at a live and online sale, range from €25-€80 for a collection of costume jewellery, an Irish sterling silver signet ring and an Egyptian revival pill box to €42,000-€52,000 for a round cut diamond solitaire of 5.35 carats and €34,000-€40,000 for a diamond line bracelet with radiant cut stones. The selection in between these figures ranges from rings, necklaces and brooches to watches, earrings and a 1947 Mexican 50 peso gold coin.

More than 600 lots, from limited, rare and signed first editions to Marvel comics and works of sporting and antiquarian interest, will come under the hammer at Purcell Auctioneers in Birr. 

The programme for Ireland's 1948 Grand Slam-winning rugby match at Purcell Auctioneers in Birr.

The sale will be led by a 1920 book of Irish Fairy Tales by James Stephens with illustrations by Arthur Rackham (€1,750-€2,250). A rare catalogue from the May 1939 sale of 2,711 lots from Ashford Castle by Jackson, Stops and McCabe (€200-€300), a programme from Ireland's Grand Slam-winning match against Wales on March 13, 1948 (€350-€600), Marvel's Amazing Spiderman from 1984 featuring the first appearance of his black suit (€300-€400) and a signed first edition of Normal People by Sally Rooney (€200-€250) are among the highly collectible lots.