Leonard Joel

A single owner collection of industrial models and scientific instruments – part of Leonard Joel’s May Classic Furniture and Objects auction – signals an emerging category within the auction world.

With the auction to be held from 11am Saturday May 30 at 333 Malvern Road, South Yarra, the single owner collection is a reflection of mankind’s industrial and social past.

Several intriguing working models are part of the collection – including a museum quality model of an English Beam engine from the 1940s.

A rare colour aquatint on paper by French artist Pierre Soulages called Untitled 1957 is one of the major attractions at Leonard Joel’s forthcoming Specialist Prints & Photography auction from 11.30am Thursday May 18 at 333 Malvern Road, South Yarra.

Born in 1919 in Rodez, Aveyron, Soulages is known as “the painter in black” owing to his interest “both as a colour and non-colour”.

According to Soulages, when light is reflected on black, it transforms and transmutes it, opening a mental field all its own.

Pre-owned luxury items featuring creations by Hermes, Pucci, Etro, Lulu Guiness, Burberry and many other designers will be auctioned from 1pm Thursday May 14 by Leonard Joel at 333 Malvern Road, South Yarra.

Included in the auction are silk scarves, handbags, suitcases, bangles, bowls, atomisers, chargers, ties and vintage brooches.

Tom Szekeres and his son Chanon decided on the name of a family dog when they set up their antique business in West Melbourne 16 years ago - partly because of exasperation, partly from timing and partly from subliminal family influence.

“Wally Johnson was the name of my wife Julie's grandmother's dog,” Tom explained. “When we went to register the name of our business, frustratingly all the names we had chosen were already taken – so we decided that name was as good as any.”

Unique black and white photos taken in 1964 of the Beatles appearing the Ed Sullivan Show, on their way by train to a Washington performance and arriving in Adelaide are among an unusual collection of entertainment memorabilia auction from noon Thursday May 7.

The auction, by Leonard Joel at 333 Malvern Road South Yarra, feature the Beatles at press conferences, in hotels, in concert and travelling during the start of their phenomenal success as the world’s leading pop band of the 1960s and 1970s.

Leonard Joel’s April Modern Design auction features an international collection with designer pieces never before offered on the Australian auction market.

Highlights of the sale, from 6.30pm Thursday April 23 at 333 Malvern Road South Yarra, include the Saruyama Sofa designed by Toshiyuki Kita and manufactured by Moroso.

Another classic is the ‘Wave Sofa’ designed in 1988 by famous female architect Zaha Hadid.

The multi award-winning architect has designed some of the most famous landmarks and furniture of 20^th century.

A rare promotional French Dinky 560-P Citroen 2CV van carrying the Philips moniker will be among the major highlights of Leonard Joel’s next toy auction from 12pm Thursday April 16 at 333 Malvern Road, South Yarra.

The van, carrying a catalogue estimate of $1500-$3000, is among 105 collectable items up for grabs.

Most of the toys carry catalogue estimates from $100 to several hundred dollars and include such interesting items as a French clockwork scooter and tri-porteur with white suited rider and a Vilmer Volvo KFK fodder bus.

An 1819 drawing of Bathurst by little known French midshipmen and naval draughtsman J. Alphonse Pellion (1796-1868) is one of the interesting drawcards at Leonard Joel’s fine art auction from 6.30pm Tuesday March 24 at 333 Malvern Road, South Yarra.

Pellion was an officer aboard the Uraine that Louis-Claude de Freycinet commanded during a three-year scientific journey – from which the latter later authored the Atlas Historique.

On November 18, 1819 the corvette docked at Port Jackson and remained there for five weeks before sailing for France.

One of Melbourne’s leading antiques traders Graham Geddes is about to see the premises from which he has operated for the past 40 years demolished to make way for a residential development.

Since 1972, the sprawling building at 877 High Street, Armadale has been the haven for many of the finest antiques and collectables ever seen in Melbourne.

As a result of the impending closure, Leonard Joel – in association with Dreweatts & Bloomsbury in London – will auction on site the entire Geddes stock over two days from 11am Saturday March 21 and Sunday March 22.

Leonard Joel will auction the Dr George Wilcox collection from 1pm Sunday March 8 at the Intercontinental Sydney Double Bay 33 Cross Street, Double Bay in Sydney as part of its Jewels and Objets D’Art sale.

The late doctor was a connoisseur of fine clocks, furniture, silver and decorative arts - particularly of English origin. 

Dr Wilcox shared the collecting bug with his wife Pam – so much so that George always bought the antiques while his wife exclaimed, “George, you can’t afford that!”.