Philips Auctions

Art collectors can have a field day at Philips Auctions forthcoming Christmas sale that features a collection of limited-edition prints, etchings and lithographs by several of Australia’s best-known artists – assembled by an 89-year-old Melbourne collector keen to pass it on to fellow stalwarts.

The online decorative arts and jewellery auction, finishing from 9.30am Monday December 11 at 47 Glenferrie Road, Malvern, is a great opportunity to acquire a suitable Christmas present for family and friends.

Robert Reis was such a famous and knowledgeable London-based antiques dealer and collector that one of England’s oldest and largest auction houses Christie’s was keen to employ him – and he also trained many of the commentators on the well-known TV show Antiques Roadshow.

For 45 years with partner Gay Bowler, he spent much of his time travelling throughout Europe and the United States in the pursuit of his passion before moving to Australia in 2009.

Quality collectable sterling silver is a highlight of Melbourne-based Philips Auctions forthcoming timed online auction finishing from 10am Monday May 15 at 47 Glenferrie Road, Malvern.

The silver is particularly notable for two 1836 pieces by famous London silversmith Paul Storr (1770-1844) – both William IV period – one a coffee pot (lot 140) and the other a teapot (lot 141).

When the five-year-old mare Saxony won the 1949 Williamstown Cup, owner Frank Coppin was over the moon.

The last of the four cups run during Melbourne’s Spring Carnival – the others being the Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup and Moonee Valley Cup – Frank knew that his horse was in exalted company.

Saxony had already forged an enviable reputation – becoming the first horse to win the mile-long Toorak Handicap, first run in 1881, twice (1948 and 1949).

Perhaps it was the strong links to his homeland that inspired Dutchman Karl Hulsberggen to amass a significant collection of Gouda pottery after he migrated in 1951 to Melbourne.

Or it could have been his passion for antique furniture, gold, diamonds jewellery, stamps and general collectables that led in the early 1970s to him establishing a second-hand dealership – first in Oakleigh, then later Burwood and East Kew before he finally decided in his late 60s that it was time to call it a day.

Melbourne-based Philips Auctions timed online sale – due to finish from 12pm Monday September 19 at 47 Glenferrie Road, Malvern – has a litany of interesting lots to entice auction goers.

First up are the items from Gordon Cope-Williams Cope Williams Winery at Romsey in Victoria’s Macedon Ranges which the trustees now wish to sell.

Cope-Williams took Sydney socialite Lady Storey as his second wife after her husband died and together they built a considerable collection of art and antique furniture.

An unusual collection of early 20^th century graphophones and phonographs are a highlight of Philips Auctions timed online Fine & Decorative Arts auction which ends from 12pm Monday August 8 at 47 Glenferrie Road, Malvern.

At the same time the auction house is conducting a timed online Modern & Antique Jewellery sale with both high quality and affordable jewellery up for grabs.

Following a protracted legal battle among family members, Australia’s biggest ever gold, silver and jewellery auction – featuring more than 10,000 items that belonged to gold merchant the late Peter Davis– will be held online each day from 10am Monday June 27 to Thursday June 30 through Melbourne-based Philips Auctions at 47 Glenferrie Road, Malvern.

While his wife Eileen was busy indulging her passion for collecting porcelain, scent bottles, period furniture and other quality collectables, John Dunn was busy plying his trade as a journalist – something he is still doing today aged 91.

“I worked for the Melbourne Herald from 1952 to 1958, succeeding (editor) John Fitzgerald as the paper’s London correspondent,” he said.

When long-time Malvern resident Margaret Watson turned 100, she invited all her neighbours to visit while she sat on the porch and talked.

Margaret often came to Philips Auctions at 47 Glenferrie Road, Malvern to buy a favourite item. As it turned out, she also lived in company director Tony Philips street so was delighted when he accepted her invitation to visit for such a special milestone.