Rod Menzies is not one to stand still when it comes to buying and selling art.

Over the years, the chairman of top 500 Australian company Menzies International and co-founder of Menzies Art Brands has purchased impressive works by many of Australia’s leading artists including such household names as Brett Whiteley, John Brack and Russell Drysdale.

World War I, or the Great War as it was known, was meant to be the “war to end all wars”.

Of course, as history records, peace after the “war to end all wars” only lasted for 20 years – as Germany once more tried its hand at world dominance by invading Poland, leading to the outbreak of World War II on September 3, 1939.

Supreme Allied Commander towards the end of World War I was French general and military genius Marshal Ferdinand Jean Marie Foch (1851-1929), who played a decisive role in halting a renewed German advance on Paris in the Second Battle of the Marne.

Unusual silver and bronze elephants belonging to a leading Melbourne business identity will be a major highlight of Philips Auctions forthcoming fine and decorative arts sale from noon Sunday June 16 at 47 Glenferrie Road, Malvern.

The 40-strong collection features several fascinating examples including lot 65 – Austrian Franz Bergman’s (1861-1936) bronze rendition showing the elephant with game hunters and a slain tiger.

A comprehensive quantity of jewellery and large rugs are bound to attract auction goers looking for suitable birthday gifts at E.J. Ainger’s forthcoming auction from 9.30am Tuesday May 28 at 433 Bridge Road, Richmond.

The jewellery ranges from affordable portrait miniatures to fob watches, chains, crosses, rings, bracelets and bangles to suit every taste and will no doubt prove extremely popular with buyers.