Leski Auctions

Although the late John Richards remains much of a mystery to other collectors, his name lives on through the colonial Tasmanian furniture items he collected during his many visits to Australia’s island State.

As the owner of the renowned seafood restaurant Food Magic on Sydney’s norther beaches, John spent almost 20 years visiting Tasmania to follow his passion for sourcing the finest sea creatures to serve to customers.

During the course of his visits, the inveterate rare coin collector discovered a love for fine colonial furniture.

Any auction goer interested in owning their own version of the Mona Lisa should turn up to Melbourne-based Leski Auctions forthcoming two-day decorative arts & collectables sale from 10am Saturday November 16 and Sunday November 17 at 727-729 High Street Armadale.

A 19^th century hand painted ivory miniature after Leonardo Da Vinci (lot 770) is a very affordable way of achieving their goal.

Although an event that happened 60 years ago, the Beatlemania phenomenon that gave rise to hysterically screaming and crying teenagers as part of pop music culture will be front of mind when Melbourne-based Leski Auctions holds a sale that includes a photographic collection of the Beatles 1964 visit to Adelaide as part of their only Australian tour.

The auction, from 12pm Tuesday October 29 and Wednesday October 30 at 727-729 High Street Armadale, also will comprise a significant poster and camera and photographic equipment collection among the 1076 lots.

A stalwart of Australian antiques and art history, Dr Jane Lennon, is auctioning many items from her personal collection of Australian silver and gold, rare photographs, furniture, pottery, jewellery and paintings at Melbourne-based Leski Auctions forthcoming sale from 11am Sunday October 20 at 727-729 High Street, Armadale.

One of Australia’s best-known conservationists, Sydney-born Chris Pratten, who died this year aged 90, is being remembered through his massive collection of antique clocks, Wedgewood and other porcelain brands, and naturalist art - to be auctioned by Melbourne-based Leski Auctions as part of its Decorative Arts sale from 10am Sunday September 22.

The Pratten collection, containing 274 lots, is one of three on the day – the other two belonging to Sydney dealer Alan Landis and Tasmanian collector Chris Burghley.

Although the Hindenburg disaster occurred more than 87 years ago, it is still often referred to as one of aviation’s greatest tragedies.

Dubbed An Eye For Beauty sale, this part II auction of a single owner collection of decorative arts and general collectables from 10am Sunday August 11 by Melbourne-based Leski Auctions at 727-729 High Street, Armadale is an excellent opportunity for buyers to pick up affordable pieces in a comprehensive range of categories.

Auction goers will be able to choose from sterling silver, Chinese and Asian art, paintings, clocks, jewellery, religious icons, porcelain, glass, lamps, furniture and military items assembled over 20 years to satisfy their collecting hunger.

It is hardly surprising that the late David Vinall became a passionate collector given that his father Laurie amassed a nationally significant array of veteran cars on their historic South Australian 32-hectare property Albion Farm.

The vehicle collection included an 1898 Mercedes Benz – the first car ever registered in Victoria. This belt and tiller driven invention ended its passenger-ferrying life in Glenorchy driving farm machinery before being fully restored and is now a proud part of South Australia’s Birdwood National Museum.  

General Sir John Monash (1865-1931) is undoubtedly one of Australia’s most iconic figures – his name perpetuated in institutions such as Melbourne’s Monash University and a major city freeway also bearing his moniker.

Regarded by some as “the only general of creative originality produced by the First World War”, Monash headed Australia’s 4^th Infantry Brigade at Gallipoli and in May 1918 became the Australian Corps commander, at the time the largest military contingent on the Western Front.

The guernsey Nathan Buckley wore when he won the 2002 Norm Smith medal for best on ground in Collingwood’s grand final loss to the Brisbane Lions (lot 265), is among more than 200 of his sporting memorabilia items the former legendary player and coach is being forced to auction from 10am on Wednesday May 1 in Melbourne.