Brett Whiteley’s Platypus – perhaps the most compelling image from his Zoo publication of 1979 – will be a major highlight for Lawson-Menzies first offerings for 2014.

The auction, from 6.30pm on Thursday February 27 at 12 Todman Avenue, Kensington in Sydney, will comprise 283 works.

Prior to the sale, works will be on view in Melbourne from 10am-5.30pm Thursday February 13 to Sunday February 16 at 1 Darling Street, South Yarra.

E.J. Ainger’s latest auction, from 9.30am Tuesday at 433 Bridge Road Richmond, will feature decorative French furnishings from a home in Orrong Road, Toorak and a large consignment of teak retro furniture.

The auction also contains English 20^th century furniture, ceiling lights, genuine Persian rugs, paintings and graphics, marble and grandfather clocks and taxidermy items.

Another auction feature is the decorative Egyptian and estate furnishing available and a broad range of collectables.

When notorious 1920s underworld identity Joseph “Squizzy” Taylor was fatally wounded in October 1927 by fellow gangster John “Snowy” Cutmore, he was apparently wearing a suit made by George Symons grandfather.

“My grandfather (also named George) had a tailor’s shop in the Block Arcade overlooking Collins Street and made suits for professional people and businessmen,” George said.

“Squizzy also used to have his suits made there and always paid cash – so, from a business point of view, my grandfather very much lamented his passing.”

Sir Henry Somerset was synonymous with economic development in Tasmania. An industrial chemist, his name was inextricably linked with Burnie and Associated Pulp and Paper Mills (APPM), Goliath Cement at Railton and Australian Titan Products (Tioxide) at Heybridge.

As APPM’s CEO, Sir Henry oversaw the company’s rise to one of Australia’s leading industrial entities and also served on CSIRO’s advisory board.