Marvin Hurnall had a ceramics collection for which most collectors would give their right arm.

One of Australia’s most enthusiastic collectors and best-known antique dealers, Hurnall amassed a personal collection that featured the very best of Australian pottery.

His collecting efforts sparked a resurgence in popularity for such Australian ceramic icons as John Perceval, Arthur and Merric Boyd, Maude O’Reilly, William Ricketts, Grace Secombe and Marguerite Mahood.

A massive range of quality porcelain and crystal from the one estate will whet auction goer appetites when Young’s Auctions opens its auction bidding from 9.30am Friday November 6 at 229 Camberwell Road, East Hawthorn.

Names such as Waterford, Royal Winton, Carlton Ware, Spode, Moorcroft and Royal Albert will allow buyers to choose from a comprehensive selection unlikely to be seen again at auction for some time.

Furniture is another big drawcard at this auction with a Jimmy Possum table and three Stresslers recliners among the attractions.

A Melbourne institution for iconic mid-20^th century design for more than 20 years, Geoffrey Hatty has closed the doors on his “Twentieth Design Store” in Prahran to renovate and expand the store into recently acquired neighbouring premises.

Accordingly, he has asked Leonard Joel to auction his collection from 2pm Sunday November 8 at 249 Johnson Street, Abbotsford.

The sale offers a range of unusual mid-20^th century designer pieces including a Clement Meadmore Australian floor lamp, a Gus mclaren lidded vessel and a rare George Kral dining chair.

A rare early 1900s coin operated Imperator music machine will bring collectors in droves to auctioneer Steve Graham’s annual special sale from 10am Sunday November 8 at 64 Urquhart Street, Woodend.

The music machine will be in good company with a large street piano, organ grinders herdie gerdie, musical instruments, antique music boxes, phonographs, gramophones and a symphonium joining it on the auctioneer’s block.

Got a few thousand to spend on jewellery? Then head to Young’s Auctions this Friday October 30 when, from 9.30am, several gold and diamond rings in the $3000-$6000 price range will be up for grabs.

Perhaps the pick of is lot 99 – a striking one-carat central diamond. Another is a three-diamond ring bound to excite auction goers.

There are several quality antique furniture pieces from a Nyora couple who have recently moved to a retirement village.

With racegoers flocking to Flemington for the 2015 Spring Racing Carnival, Mossgreen is opportunistically holding a racing memorabilia auction devoted to Australia’s most famous racehorse – Phar Lap – from 6.30pm on Melbourne Cup eve at 926-930 High Street, Armadale.

Highlight of the sale is the recently unearthed original auctioneer’s copy (dated January 24, 1928) of the Yearling Sale Catalogue in New Zealand for the champion.

Arthur Gray was a giant of a man with a personality to match. A highly successful corporate lawyer with BHP who later joined merchant banker Kleinwort Benson before acquiring Russells health foods from Blackmores, Gray had enormously deep pockets – which enabled him to pursue his favourite philatelic pastime without worrying about anyone ever getting the better of him.

The result was the establishment of the most extensive, valuable and important collection of Australian stamps ever formed.

Several unusual decorative brass clocks will be among the highlights for Young’s Auctions latest weekly sale from 9.30am Friday October 23 at 229 Camberwell Road, East Hawthorn.

A late 19^th century stereoscope is another feature complete with a special conveyor belt to rotate the glass slides.

There is a selection of sterling silver from two estates including 1930s Australiana napkin rings and Chinese belt buckles.

Other attractions include a selection of china and crystal items and a range of collectable paintings.

One of the largest mixed vendor offerings in Leonard Joel history is the hallmark of the company’s latest Asian Art, Classic Furniture & Objects auction from 11am Sunday October 25 at 333 Malvern Road, South Yarra.

One of the leading catalogue items is a large and rare Chinese parcel-gilt silver box and cover (lot 8) from the Tang Dynasty (618-906AD) – a highlight of the Asian art section.

Another significant Asian art piece is the circa 1680 Japanese Arita blue and white porcelain V.O.C. plate (lot 72).

Mossgreen will hold its sixth Interior Decorator auction from 2pm Sunday October 25 in a sale that showcases a curated selection of indoor and outdoor items for homeowners designed for the summer months.

Internationally famous designer Allegra Hicks wrote the catalogue introduction in which she alluded to the 18^th and 19^th century French furniture, mid-20^th century Murano glass and retro Italian armchairs within the auction mix.