THE 1997 Irish Arts Review will be of particular interest to collectors of Irish pictures because, as with last year's edition, it contains an index of prices paid for Irish art at auction between June 1995 and June 1996. This invaluable service covers all Irish artists - and includes a table of newly-established record prices, with Jack B. Yeats topping the list, thanks to a new world record being set for his A Farewell to Mayo, which made £730,000 at Sotheby's last summer.

Also in this edition are many other features relating to Irish antiques, such as Joseph McDonnell's piece on Irish rococo silver, David Skinners examination of Irish period wallpapers, the Knight of Glin on marquetry decoration of early 18th century Irish furniture and Peter Howell on 19th century architect James Edward Rogers. There are a considerable number of articles on Irish artists, such as Sinead Crofts exploration of Maurice MacGonigal and his western paintings, Sighle Bhreathnach-Lynch on the depiction of the peasant in early 20th century Irish art and Hilary Pyle on Letitia and Eva Hamilton.

The Irish Arts Review 1997 is now on sale at bookshops throughout the Republic and it costs £35 in hardback and £22.50 in paperback.