In addition to the classic motorcars offered for sale at Mossgreen’s Collectors Cars auction from 2.30pm Sunday December 10 at 935 High Street, Armadale is a unique memorabilia collection involving three generations of the one motor racing family.

Passionate about car rallies, the late Bill Ferguson frequently participated in events in his 1924 Essex – and a life-long love affair with motor racing began when he first went to the now defunct Strathpine race circuit in Brisbane.

Two historic pieces of Ashes memorabilia will head Leonard Joel’s inaugural sporting memorabilia auction from 10am Thursday December 7 at 333 Malvern Road, South Yarra.

One is an engraved silver tray, presented to the Melbourne Cricket Club president Sir William Clarke and Lady Clarke following England’s defeat of Australia in the first Ashes Test series in 1882-83, and has a catalogue estimate of $80,000-$100,000.

The other is the Ashes urn presented in 1909 to Australian Test captain Monty Noble by Lady Darnley following Australia’s victory over England.

High society jeweller Raymond Schlager is an icon among Melbourne’s wealthy families and has an international client base that many of his profession could not help but envy – including sheiks, top tennis players and music stars such as Jon Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen and Elton John, who was a client for 16 years in the 1980s and 1990s.

The son of a poor Toorak shoemaker, at age 14 Mr Schlager left school to train with Bourke Street jewellery and art restorer Phillip Hawe.

While eye-catching sculptures in the grounds of Rod Menzies spacious Stonington Mansion greeted guests as they arrived for Melbourne’s special guest viewing of Menzies forthcoming Australian & International Fine Art & Sculpture auction, the usual display of major art works on easels in the foyer was notably absent.