DUBLIN.- Whyte’s annual Christmas auction of art and collectibles goes on view on Wednesday 7 December at their Molesworth Street galleries. Most of the art and collectibles are modestly estimated from €20 to about €500, and there are some with estimates in the €1000s.

The original pictures include works by many well-known names such as Markey Robinson, Gladys Maccabe, Patrick Leonard, Maurice Canning Wilks, Frank Egginton, Tom Carr, Norman McCaig, James Brohan, William Conor, Jack Hanlon, Dan O’Neill, Basil Blackshaw, Colin Middleton, Cecil King, Tony O’Malley, Richard Kingston, Neil Shawcross, Gwen O’Dowd, Tom Climent, Michael Cullen, John Kindness, and many others. There are prints by Francis Bacon, Paul Henry, Robert Ballagh, Micheal Farrell and Erskine Nichol. Most of the artworks are estimated below €1,000, mainly €100 to €500.

Rare and interesting wines and spirits are a new feature of this festive auction. A 100-year-old bottle of Irish whiskey, distilled in Dublin in 1916, is expected to fetch €15,000 to €20,000 [lot 158] and there are several other rare distillations for the Christmas connoisseur at more modest estimates such as a bottle of Old Comber Pot Still at €300 to €400 [lot 167].

There are some fine wines included in this sale such as a magnum of Cheval Blanc 1999 at €600-€800 [lot 179] or a Taittinger Compte de Champagne, Blanc de Blanc, 1959 at the same estimate [lot 188]. There are wines produced on vineyards owned by Gerard Depardieu [lots 180 and 181, case of six, €18-220] or Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie – possibly the last of that vintage! – [lots 184-186, three magnums for €90-€120].

Collectibles and antiques include an unusual lot [191] of three pieces of amber encasing insects at €100 to €150. More useful is a Victorian sewing box [lot 200] estimate €200-€300, a René Lalique 1920s vase [lot 203 €600-€800] or an especially useful - at this time of year – Victorian copper and brass ice pail [lot 204, €300-500]. A very rare and collectable Dunhill Aquarium table lighter [lot 212] is expected to fetch €3,000-€5,000. Despite the distaste for smoking these days – Art Nouveau and Art Deco objects such as this are still highly prized.

If you want to add some shiny antique quality to your Christmas table Whyte’s have an excellent range of silver from the early 1700s to the 1920s. A Queen Anne marrow scoop [lot 213] is expected to make €300-€400. An Irish William IV fish slice is valued at €200-€250 [lot 225]. An 1830s Irish silver tea service is expected to make €1,000 to €1,500 [lot 235]. There are over fifty other lots of silver with estimates from €100 upwards.

A small range of jewellery and watches includes a ladies Rolex Cellini 18 carat gold watch [lot 274, €1,500-€2,000]. For book collectors there are first editions By Ian Fleming and Seamus Heaney, the latter including Death of a Naturalist 1964 [lot 278, €700-€1,000].

A range of entertainment memorabilia provides some imaginative gift ideas including autographed albums by Elton John, The Boomtown Rats, Van Morrison and for the slightly older generation original 78s of Count John McCormack. There are framed film posters from as little as €20-€30 to over €300.

A small range of antique die cast toys completes the sale.

Viewing is at 38 Molesworth Street on Wednesday to Friday 7-9 December 10am to 5.30pm daily and Saturday 10 December 10am-1pm. The auction is on Saturday 10 December at 2pm and is broadcast live with on-line bidding available.