Leski Auctions

Legendary Australian businessman and underworld figure John Wren (1871-1953) – made famous thanks largely to a fictionalised account of his life in Frank Hardy’s 1950 novel Power Without Glory and remembered from the early 1900s for his Johnston Street, Collingwood horse racing gambling venture which eventually earned him $40,000 a year – will make an unforgettable impression on Leski Auctions forthcoming Fine and Rare Clocks sale.

Leski Auctions first Stamps, Coins & Postal History auction since December last year will be held from 12pm Wednesday August 28 and largely reflects substantial contributions from new team member Matt Hancock.

Hancock is an acknowledged expert in stamps and postal history and is keen to expand his knowledge of the types of collectables that pass through Leski Auctions doors.

The auction, at 727-729 High Street Armadale, features consignments from more than 60 vendors and includes a substantial group of Australian Commonwealth collections (lots 90-123).

Australia’s cricketing icon and batting legend Sir Donald Bradman still attracts an enormous amount of public attention – even though it is more than 70 years since he last competed at international level.

With a batting average of 99.94, he is regarded as the greatest batsmen to ever live and, although he died in February 2001, every time a cricketing item or piece of memorabilia he owned comes onto the market collector hearts appear to beat just a little faster.

World War I, or the Great War as it was known, was meant to be the “war to end all wars”.

Of course, as history records, peace after the “war to end all wars” only lasted for 20 years – as Germany once more tried its hand at world dominance by invading Poland, leading to the outbreak of World War II on September 3, 1939.

Supreme Allied Commander towards the end of World War I was French general and military genius Marshal Ferdinand Jean Marie Foch (1851-1929), who played a decisive role in halting a renewed German advance on Paris in the Second Battle of the Marne.

A unique Australian coat of arms made in wool about 1880 by William Duncan from the outback Queensland town of Charters Towers (lot 132) is typical of the historic flavour of Leski Auctions forthcoming Australian & Colonial sale from 12pm Sunday may 26 at 727-729 High Street, Armadale.

The shield’s four quadrants (bale of wheat, merino sheep, three-masted sailing ship and gold minehead) are surrounded by Australian birds siting amongst a Scottish thistle, English rose and Irish shamrock with kangaroo and emu supporting two white ensigns.

The 2018 closing of the Joshua McClelland Print Room and the family-associated Rathdowne Galleries in Carlton is the end of an important era in Melbourne’s and Australia’s art market.

Leski Auctions has been asked to auction the paintings, prints, porcelain and furniture from 12pm Sunday May 5 at 727-729 High Street, Armadale – bringing to a close a Melbourne icon that was established in 1927 by Joshua McClelland when he set up an antiques business in his own name.

A 1922-25 French Sirene nickel plated bronze car mascot (lot 196) by George Colin (marked G. Colin, 10) is one of the more unusual and appealing items up for grabs at Leski Auctions forthcoming Decorative Arts & Collectables sale from 12pm Sunday March 3 at 727-729 High Street, Armadale.

Featured on the auction catalogue’s front cover and originally distributed by Hermes, in 1922 Colin’s design was awarded Medailee for design by L’Auto.

West Indian Sir Garfield Sobers will always be remembered as one of the greatest – if not the greatest – cricketing allrounders of all time.

His extraordinary feat of hitting six sixes in one six-ball over for English county Nottinghamshire against Glamorgan on August 31, 1968 – the first batsmen ever to do so – from the bowling of hapless young Malcolm Nash is still talked about today and can even be found on YouTube.

So hard did Sobers hit the last of these sixes that it flew out of the ground and was not found until the next day.

An Australian 1930 penny with an estimated worth of $19,000 is among a collection of album mounted pennies dating from 1911-1964 (lot 18) to be offered as part of Leski Auctions Stamps, Coins & Postal History auction from noon Sunday December 16 at 727-729 High Street, Armadale.

Managing director Charles Leski says while 1930 pennies in any condition are extremely rare, it is even more unusual to see them as part of a large collection like the one for sale.

Romance has always surrounded the 1930 penny, which was never intended to be placed in circulation.

Auction goers who like to delve into Australian history will no doubt be impatiently waiting for the chance to bid at Leski Auctions forthcoming Australian & Colonial auction from noon Sunday December 2 at 727-729 High Street, Armadale.

Australia’s past will be in sharp focus at the sale with further selections from long-time collector Rodney Pemberton’s collection of Australian colonial furniture to whet buyer appetites.