The Blythman Collection The Blythman Collection of Indigenous artefacts is more than a celebration of one man’s passion for native cultures and artefacts. It is also a remarkable testament to the vibrancy of a living community that predates European migration by thousands of years. The collection was assembled by Daryl Blythman, from the time he was a boy in the late 1950s on the family property in the Southern Mallee region of Victoria. "My passion for collecting began thanks to my father who collected stone artefacts and axes that dated back to the Aboriginal tribes who lived in or travelled through this area," Daryl said. "It wasn’t long before his hobby became mine and ultimately my obsession, when I recognised that these items revealed a story that was unique to Australia." Growing up, Daryl Blythman often heard locals dismiss these artefacts as having no intrinsic value. He disagreed, and in his 30s began to collect as much as he could to preserve them for future generations. This took him from local second-hand shops to auctions of tribal memorabilia in Australia and eventually to auctions and private sales in London, New York and New Zealand. Eventually, due to its size, Daryl placed the entire collection into storage. "Daryl came to see us when he decided that the collection deserved to be shared with others," says Harry Glenn, an auctioneer and valuer with Leski Auctions. "The preservation of Indigenous art and culture is extremely important to any community that values its history." "The Blythman Collection is a tribute to Daryl’s persistence and passion, and the respect he has given over his lifetime to the First Australians. We are privileged to be offered the opportunity to present this collection for auction." 4