CHARLES LESKI AUCTIONS PTY. LTD.
13 Cato Street, Hawthorn East 3123, Victoria, Australia
Telephone: 61-3-9864-9999
Facsimile:
61-3-9822-2788
Email: contact@leski.com.au
A.B.N.13 081 928 921
Media Release
December 7,
2009
UNASSUMING AUSTRALIAN LIVED A ‘MODEL’ LIFE
Few people know about Burt Hartshorn, a man of diverse passions who left a remarkable legacy following
his death in Melbourne, Australia earlier
this year.
An engineer by training, Burt spent a lifetime making
model aircraft, collecting tin toys, Meccano sets, Hornby trains and other related items.
According to his best mate, Ross Perkins, his aviation collection is probably one of the largest in the world.
“Burt had a tough upbringing, but it also gave him the drive to pursue his creative side,” said Ross. “His
collection is remarkable and now it’s time for others to enjoy the fruits of his labour.”
Aviation was his first love, which is reflected in more than 40 lots being offered for sale from this genre.
Among the items which were built by Burt is Charles Lindburgh’s Ryan N-X-211 ‘Spirit of St Louis’ (1/16
scale), and a Fokker DV111 524/18.
Also for sale are more than 100 lots of models and toys. These vary from fire engines and racing cars, to
children’s sewing machines, tinplate clockwork novelty toys and train sets.
“Burt’s dedication is obvious with this remarkable collection of memorabilia,” says Charles Leski. “There
are some unique, low-priced items that would be wonderful Christmas presents.”
The lots
will be offered for sale by Leski Auctions in Melbourne on Tuesday, December 15th at 7.30pm.
Pre-sale estimates vary from
$80
-
$750. (NB: Image of Charles Lindburgh’s aircraft available
at
xt=jpg&width=550&height=550
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.
The company is located at 13 Cato Street, Hawthorn East 3123 Australia. Telephone +61-3-864 9999 and
CHARLES LESKI AUCTIONS PTY. LTD.
13 Cato Street, Hawthorn East 3123, Victoria, Australia
Telephone: 61-3-9864-9999
Facsimile:
61-3-9822-2788
Email: contact@leski.com.au
A.B.N.13 081 928 921
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 
