Auction Results

Forger's work brings top dollar at Australian auction

A rare early 1855 watercolour panorama of the Port River & North Parade, Port Adelaide by artist, forger and fraudster Frank (Francis) George Hankey (c1832-1911) on four panels (lot 530) doubled its auction estimate to sell for $42,000 at Melbourne-based Leski Auctions October 20 sale of the Dr Jane Lennon collection.

The scene depicted was largely destroyed in the Great Port Adelaide Fire of November 1857 in a blaze covering several acres that wiped out half the...

Australian conservationist clock collector chimes well at auction

A circa 1685 William & Mary marquetry longcase clock by London maker Richard Colston (lot 1) was the top selling item for $42,000 at Melbourne-based Leski Auctions September 22 decorative arts sale.

The clock was part of a massive collection of timepieces by one of Australia’s best-known conservationists Sydney-born Chris Pratten, who died this year aged 90.

Another in his collection – a circa 1770 George III sprint table clock (lot 3), from 18th...

Chinese stamps and art join flight covers in the popularity Australian auction stakes

The opportunity for postal history collectors to obtain a rare piece of aviation history through the purchase of surviving letters from the German airship Hindenburg – which perished in flames on May 6, 1937, killing 35 of its 97 passengers and crew, as it attempted to moor at Lakehurst in the United States town of Manchester, New Jersey – was not enough to entice buyers at Melbourne-based Leski Auctions Stamps, Coins and Postcards sale on September 17.

What was of...

Comprehensive results in Melbourne stamp, postal history and sporting memorabilia auction

Four-day auctions invariably cover a lot of territory and Melbourne-based Abacus Auctions August 27-30 sale was no exception – with more than 3000 items featuring stamps, postal history and picture postcards, militaria, coins and banknotes, jewellery and watches, sporting memorabilia and other collectables included in the lots on offer.

With a total hammer price of $1,836,923 reached, 2625 of the 3324 lots (79 per cent) sold.

Bert Wajer’s One Penny stamp...

A happy result for Menzies prints sale

Two arts auctions on the same evening in Melbourne brought collectors out in droves.

Plenty turned up to the Menzies Prints & Multiples sale on August 28 and the auction house couldn’t have been happier with the result when more than 75 per cent of the 81 works sold at 111.7 per cent of their value.

Two photographs featured prominently – one an auction record for the artist.

This was Greg Weight’s picture (lot 65) of a languidly smoking Brett...

Melbourne Eye for Beauty auction lives up to its name

Melbourne-based Leski Auctions August 11 Eye for Beauty sale certainly lived up to its name when a gorgeous 19th/20th century Russian silver photo album with a hand painted front panel (lot 39) was knocked down for $16,000 – 16 times its upper catalogue estimate.

This was part II of a single owner private collection of decorative arts that featured a comprehensive range of items including silver, Chinese and Asian art, jewellery and watches,...

Emily Kame Kngwarreye never fails to surprise at Australian art auctions

Except for iconic indigenous artist Emily Kame Kngwarreye (c1910-1996) art sales went more or less according to plan at Menzies important Australian and international art auction in Melbourne on June 26.

Her Wild Orange 1991 synthetic polymer paint on canvas effort (lot 28) pleasingly surpassed many expectations with its $245,455 (Including buyer’s premium) return on a $60,000-$80,000 catalogue estimate.

Like Rover Thomas, Kngwarreye is a mainstay of...

Personal collections always popular at Australian auctions

Two inescapable conclusions are apparent from the results of Melbourne-based Leski Auctions latest two-day decorative arts and collectables sale on June 22 and 23.

One – the personal collections of well-known collectors are popular with buyers, with almost all items selling within or above catalogue estimate range.

Two – it can be difficult at times to set realistic estimates for items imported from other countries.

It is of little surprise that the...

Coat pocket cricket afterthought items bring Australian auction fortune

Six small items formerly owned by Australian fast bowling great the late Alan Davidson (1929-2021) and found in an old coat pocket have realised a massive $70,000 at Melbourne-based Abacus Auctions sporting memorabilia, stamps, coins and banknotes and postal history May sale.

The items, which included a Sydney Cricket Ground life members badge and Melbourne Cricket Club honorary members badge with a pair of silver cuff links commemorating the 40th...

Sir John Monash collection proves popular at Australian auction

An Arthur Streeton painting of General Sir John Monash’s 1918 French headquarters at La Cateau (lot 720) sold for $42,000 at Melbourne-based Leski Auctions Australian & Historical sale on May 25 and 26.

Streeton completed the painting after he visited the headquarters and then gifted it to Monash as a token of gratitude.

The painting brought the second highest price of the Monash collection (comprising lots 703-776) that was a major highlight in an auction...

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