Ansett Memorabilia flies into unchartered territory |
Since the collapse of the Ansett empire in March, 2002 virtually no memorabilia from this venerable institution has been offered for public sale. It has been generally agreed that after 70 years there is a treasure trove of documents, letters, photographs, clothing and aircraft models spanning the golden age of Australia’s aviation and transport industries. While much of the memorabilia in storage has yet to be catalogued or valued by the company’s administrators, a small window into the Ansett story will be opened when some items from the private collection of Sir Reginald and Lady Ansett are offered for auction early in May. 
Speaking from her home in Mt Eliza, Janet Richards, 54, the eldest of Sir Reginald and Lady Ansett’s children, said that with the sale of the family estate the documents, photographs, letters and items of clothing that belonged to her parents can no longer be adequately housed.
“If my father was alive today he would be devastated at the way his vision has been so poorly treated,” Mrs Richards said. “Of all his businesses the airline was the closest to his heart. It was his first love and it connected him with the Australian people who he remained close to until his death (in 1981). 
“At the very least the memorabilia in storage should be offered for sale, not only to benefit the staff who are yet to receive their full entitlement, but to give closure to events that have sullied my father’s memory and his remarkable achievements.”
Approximately 300 items will be auctioned by Charles Leski Auctions of Hawthorn East. The first group of approximately 130 lots, featuring Sir Reginald’s private collection of Ansett liveried aircraft models, will go under the hammer on May 3rd, with the second group of approximately 150 lots coming up for sale in June. The combined estimate is around $60,000, although auctioneer Charles Leski says that anything could happen “on the day”. “Setting a value on these items is difficult as the provenance is such an important element,” says Charles Leski. “Our catalogue has only been available a few days but we’re already getting a level of interest that we haven’t seen since the Shirley Strickland Collection and the sale of the baggy green cap signed by Steve Waugh.” “We sensed that this would be the case because Reg Ansett and Ansett Airlines were pioneers, icons of Australian business and cultural life.”
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