Our June 13th Sale was a huge success, with a clearance rate of close to 90% and some fantastic results achieved. Some of the highlights included a 1789 Tench Narrative selling for approximately $9,000, a signed Henry Lawson achieved $2,500, a first edition Agatha Christie reached $1,500 and a Sydney Harbour Bridge Construction Report went under the hammer for $3,125. The pottery and art sold well, with almost all pieces finding buyers. Similarly the juvenile titles and art books proved popular. While they may not be the in fashion at the moment, there are still eager buyers in these categories, however condition is everything.
As always, ephemera was of particular interest. The extensive collection of swimming material in the catalogue all sold for healthy prices, with lots being purchased by private collectors, dealers and institutions. It’s great to see such wonderful material find good homes! Other ephemeral items included a myriad of bookplates, all of which sold, as well as scrapbooks and postcards.
Maps are a category that is currently quite popular. Looking at the data it’s difficult to find a trend, however early Australian maps are generally good sellers. As with most things, buyers are quite discerning, and there is a significant difference between the sale price of an average condition item, and one that is good to fine.
Across the sale we had in excess of 300 different buyers, with the majority being in Australia. However, there was significant interest out of Europe and North America, which indicates our reach continues to grow and the popularity of our sales extends well beyond domestic borders.
Our next auction will be scheduled shortly, with an online only parliamentary papers sale in July and our usual in-room/online auction of various material taking place in mid August.
We are selling the estate of the late Fred Lane. Fred was the first Australian to win a swimming gold medal at the Olympics and that was in 1900. Interestingly Fred still holds an Olympic Record for the 200 meters freestyle obstacle race. Fred was not only a champion swimmer but became a fine art printer and printed bookplates for all the literati of Sydney. So in this sale is some very important sporting memorabilia as well as bookplates and Norman Lindsay material. We are selling a certificate from when Fred broke a world swimming record in 1899, items signed by him and other Olympic Gold Medal winners. This includes a programme signed by both Fred Lane and Fanny Durack who was the first Australian woman to win a swimming Gold Medal at the Olympics. She was also the first woman in the world to win a swimming Gold Medal as the 100 meters was the first event held for women in swimming. Fred Lane’s house was destroyed by fire when Fred was 90 years old. Very little survived from this fire but we are offering what did survive. Some of it is sadly smoke affected and some is in very good condition but it is all important.
We are selling the estate of the late Craig Shaw who was an astute collector of bushranging and convict material. There are some lovely unique items here including an original photograph of Ben Hall and a Ticket of Leave issued to a woman convict. Its the only one I have ever seen issued to a woman. There is lots of good Australian history on offer here.