Leski Auctions

As a boy in the 1950s on the family property in the southern Mallee region of Victoria, Daryl Blythman became fascinated with Australian indigenous artefacts that predated European migration by thousands of years.

“My passion for collecting began thanks to my father who collected stone artefacts and axes that dated back to the Aboriginal tribes who lived or travelled through this area,” he said.

“It wasn’t long before this hobby became mine and ultimately my obsession, when I recognised that these items revealed a story that was unique to Australia.

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.

Melbourne auctioneer Charles Leski – well known over many years in collector circles for his ability to unearth some of Australia’s more memorable collectables – has re-established his former business Leski Auctions at new premises in 727-729 High Street, Armadale.

To launch the new enterprise with a small team of experienced staff, Leski is doing what he has always done well – a trademark Australian & Colonial History & Artworks auction from noon Sunday July 15.

Four premiership medals are among the vast collection of football memorabilia one of Carlton’s favourite sons and football playing icon Alex Jesaulenko is auctioning from 5pm on Thursday through Leski Auctions at 13 Cato Street, Hawthorn.

Well remembered for his “mark of the century” over Collingwood ruckman Graeme Jenkin during the 1970 VFL Grand Final, Jesaulenko was instrumental in Carlton’s (which was down by 44 points at half time) famous come from behind victory.

It’s probably one of the greatest opportunities instrument lovers and child prodigy musicians have ever had to compare and acquire a genuine antique violin in Australia’s 225-year history.

Leski Auctions forthcoming two-day sale, from 5pm on Wednesday and Thursday at 13 Cato Street Hawthorn, features 45 of these stringed instruments belonging to a professional musician who has been collecting violins for more than 40 years.

Since May, when the largest world gathering of professional philatelists and serious stamp collectors for the year assembled at the Royal Exhibition Building, Leski Auctions stamp auction clearance rates have gone through the roof.

“At the time, millions of dollars in early Australian material changed hands and people were concerned that this would just flood the market,” managing director Charles Leski said.

Instead, this major world event created new interest and reawakened dormant stamp collectors who began actively seeking out new material.