Australian history auction tosses up many gems
Author: Richard Brewster | Posted: 10th July, 2018
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.
It is a fascinating sale with items to interest a broad range of collectors and features collections on exploration and discovery, convicts, heroes and villains and furniture respectively by Graham Toms, Geoff Telfer and Dr Rodney Pemberton.
The auction also covers a range of items from scrimshaws and other maritime items to indigenous artefacts, Australian pottery, autographs, letters, documents, books, photographs silver, maps and military items, paintings, jewellery and sporting memorabilia.
Typical of the items on offer is a circa 1863 William Edwards “Victorian Rifle Club Challenge Cup, Match No. 1, First Prize”. This sterling silver trophy cup is adorned with fine and deep repousse decoration by master decorator William Edwards depicting a hunting scene with three kangaroos and an emu, and hunters on horseback.
A circa 1845 Tasmanian colonial occasional table made from a combination of Huon pine, musk, blackwood, cedar, beefwood, casuarina and myrtle is another important find and perfect as a lounge or dining room adornment.
The 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games official delegation blazer worn by organising committee chairman Arthur Cole is another historical gem, while the faded 1841 convict record of prostitute and murderer Eliza McIlveene should be of great interest to history buffs.
Another interesting item is a 19th century album of indigenous photographs assembled by Paul Heinrich Matthias Foelsche (1831-1914).
An 18 carat yellow gold gents pocket watch with key wind fusee movement by Stuart and Co. of Liverpool engraved on the back with “Geelong and Western Districts Agricultural and Horticultural Society Prize to James Piper for the Best Managed Farm Dec. 15th 1859” is an important collectable item for fob watch collectors.
A James Cook journal detailing voyages to the Pacific Ocean under the direction of Captains Cook, Clerke and Gore from 1776-1780 is sure to interest those collectors who follow the famous British explorer.
