Rare Melbourne scroll fetches $75,500 at auction |
Rare Melbourne scroll Realized: $75,000 View Catalogue / Results |
Posted December 3, 2008 Article from: abc.net.au A rare 19th century scroll depicting Melbourne has sold for $75,500 after it was almost thrown out with the rubbish. A buyer paid more than 60 per cent above the estimated price for the water and pencil work by an unknown artist when it went under the hammer at Leski Auctions in Melbourne last night. Leski art consultant John Albrecht said the vendor brought some artwork in for valuation, but did not think the scroll was worth showing. "He said it was destined for the rubbish bin before Charles Leski intervened," Mr Albrecht said. The work shows early Melbourne extending from the West Melbourne gasworks, where the World Trade Centre now stands, to the Fitzroy Gardens. The artist's vantage point is from the roof of the Victoria Barracks in St Kilda Road. The detailed panorama shows one of Melbourne's highest points - the corner of Bourke and William streets - in which is shown the three distinctive peaked towers of Menzies Hotel, completed in 1867. In the distance is the first Exhibition Building, demolished in 1869 for the Royal Mint. - AAP Original Article Here |