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It was like a Grand Final. The cricket lots had been sold and the room filled with Australian Rules
enthusiasts waiting for play to start:
Lot 880, the 1864 Geelong Membership ticket. Sold for $3495 (including premium).
A new record for an
Australian Membership ticket.
Lot 881, the 1866 four-page version of the Victorian Rules of Football. Sold for $4075. [Estimate: $500 - $1000].
Lots 883-890, circa 1905 “Valentines” postcards of the VFL Teams: Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon,
Fitzroy, Geelong, Melbourne, South Melbourne & St. Kilda. Sold for $12,465.
[Estimate: $900 - $1200].
Smashing the records for Australian postcards at Auction!
Lot 895, an original 1965 Essendon “Weg” poster. Sold for $2445. [Estimate: $500 - $600].
Lot 898, Ted Whitten’s Footscray No.3 Jumper. Sold for $17,475. [Estimate: $5,000 - $10,000].
A new record for an Aussie Rules jumper at Auction!
In April 2007 Charles Leski Auctions packaged the Oakley collection of cricket memorabilia for auction in Melbourne.
Here are some pictures of the amazing collection, all material will be presented for sale in our sports and general memorabilia auctions.
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Douglas Thompson - Photographer
Thompson trained as a photographer in South Port Studio at the age of 17. RAAF photographer 1950-56 inc 3 ˝ years as instructor at RAAF School of Photography. We are delighted to offer some of Thompsons works in auction 311.
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Julian Oakley 1953-2007: A cricketer's life
The cricket community was shocked and saddened to hear of the recent death of Julian Oakley, cricketer, businessman and life-long cricket enthusiast.
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Ray's boxing collection a knockout
Boxer, writer, referee, trainer, actor, promoter, contributor to hundreds of boxing books and magazines, T.V. personality, speaker and lecturer and the man responsible for the bulk of the boxing material in our latest auction. read more ...
Incredible early Australian Entertainment Posters discovered
Recently discovered in a warehouse in Sydney, we are delighted to be offering this remarkable hoard of early Australian Entertainment posters. Nearly 30 unique pieces from the earliest days of cinema in this country - a time when a silent short was considered a curiosity and was always part of a vaudeville or variety production. In 1907, a hundred years ago, no one thought moving pictures would last long as a medium of entertainment or information. These wonderful posters give a graphic insight to the time - the subjects, the events, the performers and the locations. Arts & Entertainment historian, Peter Sumner, has provided us with the following appraisal of the collection, which forms part of a much larger offering of Movie, Magic & Entertainment memorabilia to be offered in our May 17th public auction. read more ...
Cricket collection on display
CLA is pleased to announce that we are currently showing a philatelic exhibit 'work-in-progress' towards an Open Class exhibit of cricket memorabilia which comprises both philatelic and non-philatelic material. read more ...
Results Highlight: Cricket prices hit 'out of the ground'
The Leski Cricket Sale of December 6th & 7th has buyers and sellers smiling happily, some a little confused, and others commenting on the new standards set by these auctions. read more ...
Media Release: Million Dollar Cricket Auction sets new Australian Record
This auction took a year to assemble with over 1,000 lots being sourced from every cricketing nation. It includes memorabilia dating from the 1820s to the present day covering every type of cricket played from Ashes and Test cricket to One Day Internationals and World Series Cricket, the rebel tours of South Africa and exhibition matches played at the Philadelphia Cricket Club in the 1860s. read more ...
Cricket Auction Highlight: The World of Cricket / Ashes Tests
Our December cricket auctions stretch across two days and will feature many remarkable items, many never seen before. Some highlights include: Australian and English Test caps, numerous match used bats including Trumper & Bradman, original letters, documents and photographs, the Keith Miller collection, the Paul Reiffel collection, and many other fine properties. read more ...
Auction 297 Highlight: The Science Fiction 'Pulp' - A brief history
We are delighted to be offering an extensive library of science fiction pulps in our November public auction - more than 1500 unique titles. A fantastic collection of pulp era collectable science fiction material.
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Herald Sun (21/11/06): Sold - To the man in the Baggy Green
The Charles Leski Auctions cricket memorabilia sale has attracted much attention, here is today's Melbourne Herald Sun article featuring Keith Stackpole.
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The Michael Barden collection ranges from the 1680s to the 1990s and, though basically traditional,
shows a strong emphasis on postal history.
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Auction 295 Highlight: Le Mans Memorabilia on the Starting Grid
With 150 lots up for sale – comprising books, posters, programs, tickets, limited edition prints and thousands of photographs covering the history of the famous race – it is arguably the largest collection of its type ever assembled in Australia.
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What does Grange Hermitage, Australia’s Federation, a cricket bat from the infamous Bodyline series and Winston Churchill’s autograph have in common? They’re all for sale at Charles Leski Auctions later this month.
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Matchbox Label Collection on Display
We are pleased to be displaying at Cato Street the matchbox label collection of leading collector David Figg. Entitled “Strike a Light!” the award winning collection is an insight into the world of Phillumeny.
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Auction 293 Highlight: Meet the Collector
If Napoleon is correct, “glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever.” It’s difficult to know what drives a person to seek fame, but whatever it is Alfred Goldschlager has been waiting patiently in the wings for the better part of the 20th century to record their moment of glory.
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Remember the good old days when an autograph meant something? When you actually met the person ‘in the flesh’,
the same person who shaped history and whose legacy continues to resonate? Welcome to the world of Alfred Goldschlager..
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Auction 293 Highlight: Cap Recalls Bradman's Worst Day at the Crease
If not for Eric Hollies, widely regarded as the most incompetent English batsman in the modern era, the
ABC’s post office box would have been 100 (or 1,000 or 10,000). Eric who?...
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Ansett memorabilia takes off
Last night's auction was the first of two. Among more than 200 items were 40 model aeroplanes that
aircraft manufacturers painted in Ansett livery and sent to Sir Reginald to lure him into buying their machines.
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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.. read more ...
ADEN - KGVI and QEII CollectionGary Brown, has for over 30 years collected all philatelic material concerning the British Colony of Aden. Gary’s exhibits include his International Gold Postal History exhibit of Aden; a 3 frames exhibit of Aden Meters; a recent Mecca entry at Canberra 2006 of South Arabian Federation and the exhibit on display here at Charles Leski Auctions, the stamps of Aden from 1937 to 1965.. read more ...
Antarctic heat at Leski’s March auctionsThe two day sale at Charles Leski Auctions in Melbourne on March 28th & 29th produced some remarkable results. Several world-record prices were achieved. The sales covered many collecting fields but it was Antarctic-related material which generated the most heat, with room buyers competing with absentee and phone bidders.. read more ...
NSW Gold Medal Postal StationeryNew South Wales is acknowledged as producing the first postal stationery when in 1838 the embossed letter sheets were issued to the public.. read more ...
Featured Lot: 'Spirit Of Progress' Artwork.
The large, hand-painted Percy Trompf poster of Victoria's prestige train, the Spirit of Progress, that once graced Spencer Street station is to be offered as part of rail auction No.283. In November 1937, iconic Victorian Railways Commissioner Harold Clapp, introduced one of Australia's best loved trains, the Spirit of Progress, which operated from Spencer Street to Albury. read more ...
Record Price for "Convict Era Relics"One of the best preserved shirts from the convict era will stay in Australia following its purchase in Melbourne last night by the Canberra-based National Museum of Australia. The shirt, which is believed to date from the 1830s, was the centerpiece of a six item collection which was found in Granton, Tasmania in the early 1960s. read more ...
Rocket Mail collection on display at Leski'sRocket Mail was first exhibited in 1933 during the famous WIPA show held in Vienna. A set of exhibition labels that show The History of Mail Transport in a block of ten, ends with a typical mail rocket of the time. A Rocket Mail exhibit may be shown in both Aero- and Astrophilately at FIP Exhibitions, since items were flown and items relate to the development of Space Flight. read more ...
Featured Lots: Convicts & KissworldHighlights of this auction include one of the most significant groups of historical artefacts we have offered. We are honoured to have been entrusted with the opportunity to research, describe and present for sale this historic hoard.. read more ...
The Ultimate Gift for CollectorsIn response to several requests, we have designed and made available a range of gift certificates in A$50, A$100 and A$250 denominations. These can be purchased at any time by visiting us in Cato Street, or over the phone; you can even order yours on our website or by mail. Gift Certificates Order Form
Sports auction brings record online listenersLive coverage of the Sports & General Memorabilia auction last night contributed to another record month of online listening to the CLA Auction Webcast system, as desk-bound sports fans kept up-to-date with the nights progress. read more ...
The Rick Darling CollectionA highlight of our October Sports Sale is the Rick Darling collection. Rick will be attending viewing on Sunday from about noon to 4 o'clock, and will also be attending the auction, and has offered to sign any of the items from his collection purchased by collectors. read more ...
Exhibitions in Leski's ShowroomIt is our pleasure to announce an initiative which joins Charles Leski Auctions (CLA) with the Australian Philatelic Federation (APF). CLA will have an ongoing series of exhibitions the first of which will be focusing on Australia's participation in the Olympics. read more ...
Featured Lots: Gold Medal TasmaniaTasmania was the last of the Australian Colonies to issue postal stationery when postal cards became available in 1882. This had followed a strong political debate as to the public interest in such issues and concerns about privacy of messages written on post cards. read more ...
Featured Lots: The Golden Age Cricket BatA full size "Gradidge" Cricket Bat with an extraordinary range of 19th Century signatures. At Charles Leski Auctions we have had the pleasure of selling hundreds of signed cricket bats, many hundreds of team sheets, autograph pages, team photographs, cigarette and trade card sets, Baggy Greens, Baggy Yellows, blazers, postcards, and all other types of cricket memorabilia. read more ...
WW2 Airlinks to AustraliaIt is appropriate that in the sixtieth year since the end of World War II we have the privilege to be offering the
definitive collection of airmails, which study the effect that wartime hostilities had on the airmail service to Australia.
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A large selection of German N scale models appears in Auction 269. Learn something about the interesting background to this collection, which mainly comprises material from the 1970's. Charles Leski Auctions are proud to be handling the estate of the late Stephen Szeloczsky (1921-2004). read more ...
Photographic CollectionsNorm De Pomeroy built up an enviable reputation as a noted and active railway photographer and his photographic collection grew from 2,500 items in 1960, to the extent that, by the time of his death in 2002, it probably contained over half a million items. Nearly 140 lots from this collection will be offered in our auction on Wednesday 29th June 2005. read more ...
Material from Deceased EstatesOne of the more unusual sections of sale 265 comprises 30 lots from the “Michael Davies” collection of Great Britain, which tells the story of the British Empire Exhibition held at Wembley Stadium in London during the summers of 1924 & 1925. read more ...
Views of early SydneyFor the first time since the 1980s, there is an opportunity to purchase a remarkable set of views of early Sydney.
In 1843, artist George Edwards Peacock (1806-1890) was commissioned by the owner of ‘Craigend’, a mansion in
Darlinghurst, to paint six views of, and from, the house.
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There's a new wave of interest in historic photography. Auction prices have surged recently for old photographs,
but not any old photographs. Naturally enough, Australasian subjects are the most sought after, but quality
photographs of the 19th and early 20th century are generally in demand.
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Thirty-two years ago, Charles Leski, 52, decided to transform his stamp collection hobby into a career by opening a stamp auction business. read more ...
Railway Lots in Auction 263
We are currently preparing Auction 263 which will be conducted on 15th May 2005. All lots are made up of material that have never been offered before. There's still plenty of material from the huge Norm De Pomeroy collection but there's also many lots from other clients, old and new. This article features the TOP TEN HIGHLIGHTS from this upcoming auction. read more ...
Steve Waugh MemorabiliaAn Australian baggy green cap once belonging to legendary Steve Waugh is soon to be auctioned in Melbourne. Described as one of cricket's ultimate collectibles, the cap was presented by Waugh to long-time "roomie" at the West Australian Cricket Association, Londoner Keith Attree. read more ...
Thailand PhilatelyRemarkable results at the "Thailand Stamps & Postal History" auction at
Leski's on March 21st suggest that the centre of Thai philately might
have moved South to Melbourne. Although there were few bidders in the
room, the phones were running hot, and more than 80 bidsheets had been
received from absentee bidders.
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Auction No.260 on 6th April 2005, will include some hundreds of new lots from the Norm De Pomeroy railway collection, including a remarkable find which may change some aspects of Victoria's known railway history! We are offering 72 lots containing thousands of record cards from Newport Workshops which record all the repairs carried out on steam locos., boilers and brakes. read more ...
Kevin Ryan MAPThe philatelic life of Kevin Ryan was highlighted by extensive service to organised philately and the formation of a significant and extensive collection of Thailand, In particular, he was renowned for his research into the Lithographed Surcharges of Siam 1914-1916. His collection was widely exhibited and was the basis for his published Research Study in 1993. read more ...
The Francis Kiddle CollectionPostal fiscals and revenue stamps were once consigned to the classification of 'Back of the Book' indicating a lowly status to these fascinating issues. The other popular description of Cinderellas gave a understated picture of stamps that were all produced for a serious purpose. Today they deservedly belong to their own official FIP class as Revenues. read more ...
Two Greats of the GameRichie Benaud and South Africa's Eddie Barlow were two of cricket's greatest all-rounders.They played against each other in just one series, 1963/64 in Australia.Benaud was one of Australia's finest captains, losing only four matches out of 27. read more ...
Important Tolkien LetterA highly significant letter by J.R.R.Tolkien is to be offered on February 10th 2005 at Leski Auctions.
Tolkien (1892-1973) is of course famous for "The Hobbit" and "Lord of the Rings" in which he conjures up an imaginary world,
Middle Earth, peopled by elves and other creatures. After a great revival in the 60s, Tolkien has found vast new audiences today,
not least through the cinema. "Lord of the Rings" has been a stunning success worldwide.
This letter, written in Tolkien's distinctive rune-like style, refers directly to "Lord of the Rings".
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Charles Leski Auctions are proud to have received two awards for excellence in 2004 from the Australasian Philatelic Traders' Association Inc. We received the runner-up award in the Philatelic Publication of the Year category, for our publication "Australian Air Mail Labels and Vignettes 1920-1960 - The Tom Frommer Collection" as well as runner-up in the Auction Catalogue of the Year category for the April 2004 Aerophilately Sale. read more ...
Bradman Sale MagicCelebrity wedding invitations are often fought over, but not usually long after the event. So a 72-year-old invitation was unusually contested when fierce counterbidding took place at an auction held by Charles Leski Auctions in its rooms in Melbourne on November 8. read more ...
A tale of courage amid the icebergsA rare first edition of British explorer and sealer James Weddell's A Voyage Towards the South Pole printed in 1825, will be among the books, maps, art, collectible cameras and wine for sale from 7.30 Monday by Charles Leski Auctions at 13 Cato Street, Hawthorn East. The book is an account of Weddell's voyage from 1822-24 to the Antarctic seas as far south as 74 degrees-further than any previous explorer had been. No other sailor was to visit the region again until 1911, when Wilhelm Filchner discovered the ice shelf that now bears Weddell's name. read more ...
Fine Art at Leski'sThe Most Interesting Auction House in Australia. Auction 249 on 22nd November, viewing from Wednesday 17th November. Works by Charles Blackman, Jeffrey Smart, De Maistre, Counihan,Anne-Marie Graham, Pro Hart, G.F.Gregory, H.J.Johnstone,Sid Long, Jeff Makin, Albert Namatjira,Tom Roberts, Robert Prenzel, David Rankin, Victor Rubin, "Chopper" Read,Tim Storrier, Taylor-Ghee, Charles Wheeler and many others. Also rare books, cameras and fine wines.
Australian Story : In Realms of GoldShirley Strickland De La Hunty was Australia's golden girl of the track, loved and honoured all over the world as a multi Olympic medallist and world record holder. She was also beautiful, a brilliant scientist, and an innovative coach. She competed in three Olympics and still holds the record for the most medals ever worn by an Australian track and field athlete. read more ...
Fans vie for old newsSlabs of newsprint are not usually easy to sell. But when one such, albeit finely bound, came up at a sporting auction by Charles Leski Auctions in Melbourne on September 22, it set off a bidding scrum. read more ...
Australia's Master Carver
Robert Prenzel (1866-1941) was arguably Australia's greatest woodcarver. Certainly his prices in the saleroom attest to that. He arrived in Melbourne on the steamer "Habsburg" on the 24th November 1888. A photo of that year shows a clean-cut young gent about to set forth on his fine career. read more ...
Mexican EngravingsThe European conquest of the New World began in the Fifteenth Century. Yet printing had barely been discovered. Late medieval communications were primitive compared with seafaring skills. How could an isolated, fragmented peninsula such as Europe cope with the flood of new information from alien lands? The answer was "not well at all." read more ...
Real Estate PostersThe empheral is not supposed to last. Not designed to last. In the world of collectables, "ephemera" refers to anything that, by rights, should not have survived. When ephemera does survive, it is remarkable. Of course mere survival doesn't guarantee collectability, but it's a necessary if not a sufficient condition of collectability. read more ...
Art Consultant joins CLAA new member of staff has joined us at CLA. Frank Campbell was for twenty-six years an academic historian. He has specialised exclusively in fine art for the past ten years. Expert in Australian, NZ, British and European paintings and prints. Available for valuations, conservation advice, and research preparatory to auctions.
Auction Viewing VenuesViewing of selected lots at Singapore 04 World Stamp Championships - Suntec City:
Saturday 28th August - Monday 1st September
Viewing of selected lots at Swan River Stamp Show, Fremantle:
Thursday 9th Sept. - Sunday 12th September
The Railway Age ran from 1850 until 1914 when WWI and road trasport took the steam out of it.. Railway mania might be more accurate. During this period, more than half of all public capital was spent on railways, more than all other expenditures combined... read more ...
Selling The EmpireThe vastness of the British Empire is hard to grasp today. In its heyday,a quarter of the world map was coloured red. The Empire was still intact and relatively undamaged after WWI, but challenges were multiplying. The USA and Japan were expanding their influence. Britain, savaged by the war, had to make the Empire pay. read more ...
Railway Memorabilia sets RecordsRecord results were achieved at the first dedicated auction of railway memorabilia held by Charles Leski
Auctions in Melbourne last weekend. More than 400 people packed the Hawthorn auction house.
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An official cover dated February 3rd 1908 from the well known geologist Edgeworth David to his wife in Australia,
franked King Edward VII Land 1d tied by 'BRITISH ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION' circular date stamp.
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Issued in 1961 to raise funds for the Tristan Islanders following the volcanic eruption & subsequent
evacuation of their island, this complete set of four stamps on souvenir postcard has been postmarked on ...
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Norman De Pomeroy was an ordinary man with an extraordinary passion. When he died, he left a remarkable collection of railway memorabilia that is the envy of anyone with even a passing interest in our railway heritage. read more ...
Record Price for Norfolk Island Postal History
A world record price was achieved at the sale of the Norfolk Island Postal History item, #924 in our Stamps
and Postal History (233) sale. The item sold for A$30,000 (inc. premium).
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Phar Lap's saddle, used by jockey Bill Elliot was available in our recent Sports and General Memorabilia auction. Sold for A$87,000 (inc. premium). read more ...
Interesting Lots from Sport & General Sale
View the highlights of our previous auction 232 for Sport & General Memorabilia.
Results Highlights:
#273 1934 Don Bradman Bat: A$49,000 (inc. premium)
#607 Phar Lap's Horseshoe: A$8,700 (inc. premium)
#301 1948 Lindsay Hassett Test Blazer: A$7,000 (inc. premium)
read more ...
A unique & highly important historical document from the 'Hans Karman' International Gold Medal Collection
of Australian Privileged Mail was offered in Sale 233 on 25th March...
Sold for A$6,400 (inc. premium)
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Order our new comprehensive and full colour priced catalogue of Australian Air Mail labels and vignettes from Aeropex. Order online now! read more ...
Terra Nova Envelope & Letter
Rare 1912 envelope & letter written on board "Terra Nova" by Griffith Taylor, who accompanied Captain
Scott on his last British Antarctic Expedition...
Sold for A$5,500 (inc. premium)
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These two real photo postcards depict the wreck of the White Star Line ship "SUEVIC" which became stranded
near Cornwall on March 17th 1907
Sold for A$5,500 (inc. premium)
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Malcolm Groom explores the possibilities Tasmania has to offer for a collector in his article "Collecting
Tasmania"
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Important Bradman Bat Surfaces After 69 Years
An opportunity to acquire a unique bat, one actually used by Don Bradman in a Test Match, undoubtedly, the most important single piece of cricketing history it has been our privilege to offer. read more ...
Fairies Visit Earth
"Father Christmas: The Children's Annual" is a rare and desirable late Victorian periodical. The star issue is the 1886 edition, entirely consisting of fairies. May Bowley is the artist, and her entrancing drawings have a surprisingly modern look. read more ...
New Philatelic Consultant joins CLA & Recent AwardsWe are delighted to announce an addition to our team of internationally known philatelists. Joining Bernie Beston (recently made a Fellow of the Australian Philatelic Order) and Malcolm Groom (recently installed as a Member of the Australian Philatelic Order), is well known, South Australian, Michael Blake. read more ...
Camera AuctionConsignments invited for our forthcoming camera Auction... read more ...
Tasmania (Stamps)
1862 (Sept.27) Entire from Port Arthur to Campbell Town via Hobart Town endorsed "J Boyd/Civil Commandant/Port Arthur"; franked by 4d blue imperf Chalon tied by BN "69"; also showing good strike of the postmaster's private h/stamp read more ...
The Bruce Ruxton ArchiveFollowing our highly successful and much publicized sale of the Bruce Ruxton collection in October 2002, we are honoured to be able to offer on this occasion, the more important record of the "Ruxton Years". read more ...
Jardine touring cap sells for $24k
A Perth collector has sold at auction a rare MCC touring cap worn by former English cricket captain Douglas Jardine. read more ...
Rare Australian Postage Due discovered
A previously unrecorded 1906-8 mint 1d green, watermark "Crown over A" inverted perforation single line 11 has been discovered in a lot submitted for auction. read more ...
New Art Specialist & Stamp Specialist on board
Alexandra Wilcox has joined the team as an Art Specialist. She has held positions with Leonard Joel and Deutscher Menzies in Melbourne and has considerable experience in both the auction and private treaty market. Over the coming months we plan to offer a greater number of artworks within our auctions, with a view to a 'stand alone' art auction in the not too distant future. read more ...
Sports & General Memorabilia - Auction 218The Sports & General Memorabilia Auction on 26 June received extensive media coverage due to the inclusion of Douglas Jardine's 'Baggy Blue” cap. A capacity crowd attended on auction night and phone bidders keenly vied for many desirable items. read more ...
Sports & General Memorabilia - Auction 217Our next Sports and General Memorabilia auction on 28 August is to feature the Collection of the late Alan Piper. Among Alan's many business and sporting achievements are his Chairmanship of the Brisbane Football Club and his establishment of ASX listed AP Eagers Limited. read more ...
Stamps and Postal History - Auction 215The Stamps and Postal History Auction on 25 June provided some mid year cheer to both buyers and sellers. read more ...
Motor Memorabilia - Auction 214
Our next major event is our first Motor Memorabilia auction on 27 July. Some highlight pieces are the Collections of Motoring Luminaries John Ould and James Flood. read more ...
The Australian Air Mail Catalogue
CLA is proud to have been appointed sole Australian agent for the AAMC - 2002 edition. The 2002 Australian Air Mail Catalogue is a priced and numbered chronological listing of first and special flight air mail covers and postcards of Australian domestic and overseas connections with Australia. read more ...
Elle MacPhersonElle MacPherson signed poster. read more ...
The Auction that has something for Everyone!
Olympic Games torches, signed photographs of the British Royals and a baggy green cap from one of Australia's cricketing greats are among 875 items to be auctioned by Charles Leski Auctions in Melbourne later this month. read more ...
Motor MemorabiliaExciting motor memorabilia auction coming up.. read more ...