CHARLES LESKI AUCTIONS PTY. LTD.
13 Cato Street, Hawthorn East 3123, Victoria, Australia
Telephone:
Facsimile:
61-3-9864-9999
61-3-9822-2788
Email: contact@leski.com.au
A.B.N.13 081 928 921
Media Release
November
21st, 2008
NEW PLAYER FILLS THE GAP IN AUSTRALIA’S ART MARKET
The Australian art market just got busier. Leski Auctions, one of Australia’s pre-eminent auctioneers of
stamps, collectibles and sporting memorabilia has entered the art market in earnest with the appointment of
respected art consultant, John Albrecht.
The company has been operating for more than 35 years and is the largest auctioneer of Bradman
memorabilia in the world. This year alone it has auctioned Sir Donald Bradman’s first Test bat, rare amateur
footage of Marilyn Monroe, and Phar Lap’s horse tonic recipe book. All received widespread international
coverage.
John Albrecht, who worked for Kozminsky Galleries and Leonard Joel before establishing an independent
consultancy, says there is no auction house in Australia dealing with affordable art as its principle business.
“Charles Leski is a keen observer and believes that people who may be willing to invest in art can be
intimidated by the high prices touted by the established auction houses,” Mr Albrecht said.
“He has previously offered art as part of his auctions, and these have done extremely well. This first
dedicated auction is pitched to first-time and astute collectors and investors, and I believe it signals a
welcome departure from the existing narrative.”
The first Australian and International Art Auction will be held by Leski Auctions on Tuesday, December 2nd
at 6.30pm. It will feature local and international art with pre-sale estimates ranging from $200 to $50,000.
Among the artists represented are David Bromley, Robert Jacks, Sidney Nolan, Robert Dickerson, Clifton
Pugh, Arthur Boyd, John Percival, Davida Allen, Charles Blackman, Leon Underwood and Horace Brodzky.
The 221 lots have a combined pre-sale estimate in excess of $1,000,000.
About Leski Auctions
Leski Auctions was established in 1973 and is one of Australia’s leading auctioneers of Sporting Memorabilia,
Australiana, Collectibles and World Philately.
Leski Auctions is a recognised leader in the area of early photography, art, wine, cameras, books, autographs,
entertainment memorabilia, medals, coins, stamps, aerophilately, cigarette and trade cards, maps, railway
memorabilia, advertising artwork and posters, and the Olympics, football and cricket..
It was the first auction house in Australia to introduce an on-line, real-time bidding system ‘Live Bid Online’™,
which allows participation from anywhere in the world. It currently runs 22 auctions per year.
Leski Auctions has previously sold many significant collections, including those of Shirley Strickland, Ron Clarke,
Sir Reginald Ansett and former RSL President, Bruce Ruxton. It has sold more ‘baggy green’ caps than any other
auction house in the world, and is one of the largest auctioneers of cricket memorabilia by value and volume.
Leski Auctions recently sold the newly-discovered Phar Lap horse tonic recipe book. It recently achieved a world
record price for a Bradman bat.
Managing Director Charles Leski is a registered valuer for the Cultural Gifts Program through the Department of
Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. He is also the valuer of the displayed items at the National Sports
Museum at the MCG, Melbourne.
CHARLES LESKI AUCTIONS PTY. LTD.
13 Cato Street, Hawthorn East 3123, Victoria, Australia
Telephone:
Facsimile:
61-3-9864-9999
61-3-9822-2788
Email: contact@leski.com.au
A.B.N.13 081 928 921
The company is located at 13 Cato Street, Hawthorn East 3123 Australia. Telephone +61-3-864 9999 and
Issued by:
Charles Leski, Leski Auctions
Michael Krape, Michael Krape Consulting
Tel: 61-3-9864 9999
Tel: 0403 135 880
charles@leski.com.au
michaelkrape@krape.com.au
NEWS 
