The ability of artists like 70-year-old John Mawurndjul to transform Kuningku bark painting – pioneering a new interpretation of clan sites and inspiring the next generation of bark painters – could be one of the reasons for the strong international and local interest in Australian indigenous art as more collectors become aware of the genre.

An unusual painting by Charles Blackman (lot 34) of one of his favourite subjects, Alice in Wonderland – entitled Face and Illusion – Alice 1966 – will be front and centre when Melbourne auctioneer Phil Caldwell begins his online two-part auction from 11am Sunday March 19 at 36A Hartnett Drive, Seaford.

“This is unusual because it is one of his early paintings of Alice – dating from 1966,” Phil explained.

The first part of the sale is devoted to important Australian investment art – assembled from long held collections and estates.

One of Australia’s all-time favourite cricketers Doug Walters will come under the spotlight on Friday March 3 in Melbourne when his 1968 baggy green Test cap (lot 3537) is auctioned by Abacus Auctions at 29 Hardner Road, Mount Waverley.

The four-day auction of stamps, postal history, postcards, coins, banknotes, sporting memorabilia and collectables is the company’s first for 2023, beginning at 11am Tuesday February 28 and continuing at the same time each day.

Perhaps it was the strong links to his homeland that inspired Dutchman Karl Hulsberggen to amass a significant collection of Gouda pottery after he migrated in 1951 to Melbourne.

Or it could have been his passion for antique furniture, gold, diamonds jewellery, stamps and general collectables that led in the early 1970s to him establishing a second-hand dealership – first in Oakleigh, then later Burwood and East Kew before he finally decided in his late 60s that it was time to call it a day.