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<p>Michael and Valerie Gregg &ndash; he from Guernsey in the Channel Islands and she from the New South Wales town of Wagga Wagga&nbsp; shared a passion for collecting and, over 65 years, built an eclectic collection of silver, Australian furniture, ceramics, jewellery and pottery unrivalled anywhere in the world. Michael&rsquo;s love was Channel Island silver and one great example is lot 74, a circa 1775 George III Channel Islands silver coffee pot, made by Edouard Gavey for Mary Mauger with her name inscribed on the base. Channel Island coffee posts from this period are extremely scarce and Leski Auctions has a catalogue estimate of $10,000-$15,000 on the pot for which Michael paid twice this figure when he purchased it.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

Auction Preview: Leski Auctions, Melbourne, The Michael & Valerie Gregg Collection, 24 March 2024

By Richard Brewster on 13-Mar-2024 (Exclusive to the Antiques Reporter)

When hearts and minds from across the globe unite as one, the results can have a lasting impact on all those around them.
So it was for Michael and Valerie Gregg – he from Guernsey in the Channel Islands and she from the New South Wales town of Wagga Wagga.
Both shared a passion for collecting and, over 65 years, built an eclectic collection of silver, Australian furniture, ceramics, jewellery and pottery unrivalled anywhere in the world.
Despite their totally different backgrounds – Valerie, born in 1934, became a nurse at Wagga Base Hospital before working and travelling extensively throughout Europe and North America – their paths crossed in the small northern New South Wales town of Brewarrina, population 1000, when Michael, who was two years younger, took a job as a jackaroo on a remote but nearby cattle station.

 

<p>Gold ingots and clocks were the order of the day at Melbourne-based Leski Auctions February decorative arts sale with examples of each bringing the top result of $20,000. This price was paid for four 24-carat gold ingots (lot 216a) and a circa 1775 London-based Henry Kemp clock with a fine scarlet lacquered bell top and spring table (lot 586). &nbsp;While the ingots were right on catalogue estimate, the clock easily beat its $12,000-$15,000 figure.</p>

Auction Review: Leski Auctions, Australian & Historical, 10 February 2024

By Richard Brewster on 19-Feb-2024 (Exclusive to the Antiques Reporter)

A vintage Patek Philippe 18-carat gold gent’s manual wristwatch with the clasp stamped “Patek Philippe, Geneve, 750” (lot 360) was the best of the watches, the buyer paying $13,000 against a catalogue estimate of $6000-$8000.

<p>Tragically sunk in 1912 with a large loss of life when it hit an iceberg on its maiden voyage from England to America, the passenger liner Titanic is being remembered this year in Australia through the Melbourne Museum&rsquo;s unique exhibition of 200 real artefacts recovered directly from the wreck site. In its first decorative arts and collectables auction for 2024, Leski Auctions is acknowledging its own small tribute to the ship&rsquo;s memory with a breakfast cup and saucer emblazoned with the White Star Line logo (lot 1372) &ndash; the company that owned the Titanic.</p>

Leski Auctions to feature memorabilia from the Titanic

By Richard Brewster on 02-Feb-2024 (Exclusive to the Antiques Reporter)

Leski Auctions two-day Decorative Arts and Collectables auction begins at 10am Saturday February 10 and continues at the same time the following day at 727-729 High Street, Armadale. This broad ranging sale features everything from silver, jewellery, Chinese and Asian art, clocks, furniture, lighting and paintings to porcelain and ceramics, glass and crystal, cameras and photographic equipment, military memorabilia, antique tools and radios and gramophones. Much of it is catalogued with affordable estimates of several hundreds of dollars – although some items are featured in the tens of thousands.One of these is lot 216a – four assorted 24-carat gold ingots – with a $20,000-$25,000 estimate.