International caricatures boost auction scene

Well-known international and Australian figures of the 1980s and 1990s are the focus of a collection of original caricatures by cartoonist and caricaturist Alberto Ricardo to be auctioned from 2pm Thursday November 16 through Leonard Joel at 333 Malvern Road, South Yarra.

Ricardo has contributed to Brisbane’s Courier Mail and Melbourne’s The Age and Herald Sun.

His drawings reflect a time when the printed word was even more influential than it is today and Australian investigative journalism instrumental in exposing allegations of unethical practices by politicians, police and business leaders.

The caricatures documented some of the major events and scandals of these decades – offering a fascinating interpretation of Australian history.

Extraordinarily funny likenesses range from former world political leaders such as United States President Ronald Reagan, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke to Test cricketers such as Ian Botham, Allan Border, Ian Chappell and Max Walker.

Also represented are tennis players John Newcombe and Pat Cash, rugby league star Wally Lewis, boxer Mike Tyson, sprinter Ben Johnson, golfer Jack Nicklaus, actors Paul Hogan and Jack Lemon, comedian Bob Hope and singers Elton John and Michael Jackson.