Not many schoolboys would forego their lunch money to start collecting model trains, cars and vintage toys.

More likely, they would buy lunch and then pester their parents for more funds to indulge their childhood passion.

But not Melbourne man Martin Bodinar. As a young boy, he haunted local garage sales, swap meets and markets to discover a new treasure – having often gone hungry to ensure he had enough money to bring the new item home.

As a result, he has amassed one of the largest and most diverse collections ever seen in Australia.

Intriguing furniture pieces, portrait miniatures and shadow and wax portraits are among some of the more impressive items at Leonard Joel’s forthcoming decorative arts auction from 6.30pm Monday September 17 at 333 Malvern Road, South Yarra.

The miniatures are part of the Neil Robertson collection, which includes many curious insights into 18^th and 19^th century romanticism and life in Great Britain and Europe.

Peaking in popularity in the mid-19^th century, portrait miniatures became a casualty of the advancing photographic technology.

Two works by iconic Spanish-French artist Pablo Picasso should boost auction goer numbers to Leonard Joel’s Specialist Prints auction from 6.30pm Wednesday September 19 at 333 Malvern Road, South Yarra.

The first of these is the famous Peintre Neo-Classique dans son Atelier (Neo-Classical Painter in his Studio).

One of the 20^th century’s most influential artists, Picasso etched the work in 1963 at Mas Notre Dame de View, a house in Mougins in the south of France where he and his wife Jacqueline moved to in June 1961 when the artist was 80 years old.

Gibson’s Auctions Spring Collection sale from 11am Sunday September 16 at 885-889 High Street, Armadale is designed to put a “spring” in the step of auction goers, according to founder Jennifer Gibson.

“These are irresistible pieces designed to freshen up the home for Spring,” she says. “They are all affordable items and a nice mix of traditional and 20^th century pieces.”

A fascinating collection of perfume bottles is among the highlights of Philips Auctions forthcoming decorative arts sale from noon Sunday September 16 at 47 Glenferrie Road, Malvern.

The collection – 44 18^th and 19^th century bottles in all – belongs to long-time collectors Peter Baker-Finch and Walter Grench and features many unusual porcelain creations by leading manufacturers.

Typical is the 1850-60 “Provender for the Monastery” figure attributed to Meissen. Another is the 1880s gilded cornucopia perfume bottle attributed to Moser.

Eight years after establishing Christian McCann Auctions and with a solid reputation in dealing with both high-end decorative arts and fine art, founder Christian McCann has acceded to client requests for a separate fine jewellery department within his auction premises at 426 Burnley Street, Richmond.

“We have been dealing with high-end jewellery for some time and now felt like the right time to do it,” he explained. “And it is a natural progression from our decorative arts and fine art sales.”

Leonard Joel’s Fine Art auction from 6.30pm Tuesday September 4 at 333 Malvern Road, South Yarra offer auction goers many affordable paintings from different periods of Australian art.

A scroll through the catalogue reveals many familiar names – Charles Blackman, John Brack, Hugh Sawrey, Penleigh and David Boyd, Robert Dickerson, Tim Storrier, Pro Hart, Walter Withers and James R Jackson to name but a few.

An eclectic range of fine jewels – a strong feature of the John Swanton collection – with a focus on enamels is a major highlight of Leonard Joel’s forthcoming jewellery auction from 6.30pm Monday September 3 at 333 Malvern Road, South Yarra.

Lot 105, an extremely rare Georgian hand painted miniature eye locket with a provenance that can be traced back to the Earl of Warwick, is typical of the fine quality of the collection.

The locket belonged to Sydney’s Anne Schofield Antiques and was purchased about 1970 from Christie’s of London.

A plethora of sporting memorabilia items that have never before been auctioned will be up for grabs when Leski Auctions holds its Celebration of Cricket! Sale from 3pm Sunday September 2 at 727-729 High Street, Armadale.

The auction follows the recent closure of New South Wales’ Central Coast Cricket Museum involving items on display for many years.

Other highlights include the collections of both a Melbourne and Sydney gentleman, along with various vendor items – again some of which have never before been auctioned.

Three rare and unusual American guitars should bring collectors running to Kim’s Auctions forthcoming sale from 11am Sunday September 2 at 327-329 Warrigal Road, Burwood.

All are owned by the one vendor. One of the guitars is a rare 1978 limited edition specimen by Adamas Ovation, while the other two are a Jazz Bass (Bass Fender) and 1988 Rickenbacker.

The auction contains several other strong attractions including an 1860s council hall table mirror and a single owner collection of more than 100 Sevres and Mason porcelain vases, dishes and other items.