A letter dated June 9, 1914 from the Bendigo mayor to his counterpart in Ballarat is the earliest known item flown by aeroplane in Australia.

With a catalogue estimate of $25,000, the letter is a highlight of Mossgreen’s auction of collector Tom Frommer’s Grand Prix collection of pioneer Australian airmails from 3pm Sunday September 11 at 935 High Street, Armadale.

Frommer began collecting stamps as a teenager and early on developed a passionate interest in the exploits of pioneer aviators.

A Japanese matchlock musket, dating from 1470 and containing the first ever firing mechanism invented for guns, will be a major highlight for Oldies Collectables forthcoming two-day auction from 10am Saturday September 10 at the old Kilmore Gaol, 8 Sutherland Street, Kilmore.

The auction, which continues from 10am the next day, contains 1400 items of historic militaria, garage memorabilia, cast iron moneyboxes and American animal traps.

A stunning Van Cleef & Arpels diamond cocktail earrings and brooch set is the highlight of Leonard Joel’s spring Fine Jewels auction from 6pm Monday September 5 at 333 Malvern Road, South Yarra.

Purchased during an overseas holiday, the set was worn to many formal functions and always attracted attention – often becoming the “jewellery talking piece” of the evening.

This is not surprising as Van Cleef & Arpels has always been associated with sumptuous jewellery design matched by exacting workmanship.

A Wertheim walnut cased upright piano is among a range of furnishings featuring English retro teak dining room pieces and Victorian walnut and mahogany mirror backed credenzas at E.J. Ainger’s forthcoming weekly sale from 9.30am Tuesday August 30 at 433 Bridge Road, Richmond.

The auction, which includes several estates and private consignments from several of Melbourne’s wealthier suburbs, contains Regency and Victorian-style dining room settings and an impressive oak D-end dining table with 14 matching chairs.