Full details of each lot are displayed, except the lot number, estimate and price. You must be a subscriber to view lot numbers, estimates and prices.

Click here to view registration and subscription levels

Australian & Historical, Day 1 — Leski Auctions Pty. Ltd.

Articles on this Sale

Auction House:Leski Auctions Pty. Ltd.Number of lots recorded:655
Sale Title:Australian & Historical, Day 1Lots with images:640
Auction Location:MelbournePrices available:482
Date:7-Dec-2024
***
An Australian blackwood single door pot cupboard with brass handle, late 19th century, 78 cm high, 46 cm wide, 32 cm deep
***
***
***
An antique Australian cedar child's highchair, 19th century, 80 cm high
***
***
***
An unusual Australian Arts & Crafts chair in Tasmanian oak, early 20th century, 97 cm high
***
***
N/A
***
An impressive antique Australian fiddleback blackwood secretaire bookcase, 19th/20th century, 208 cm high, 120 cm wide, 48 cm deep
***
***
***
Eric Nicholls pair of bible chairs from the men's Fellowship room, Wesleyan Methodist church, Kew, Australian. Hardwood and leatherette, circa 1919. Rare. 104 cm high
***
***
***
Eric Nicholls pair of bible chairs from the men's Fellowship room, Wesleyan Methodist church, Kew, Australian. Hardwood and leatherette, circa 1919. Rare. 104 cm high
***
***
***
Antonio Debertolis dining chair, blackwood and rush seat, Drouin, Victoria, 19th century
***
***
***
An antique Australian revolving library bookstand, blackwood and cedar, circa 1900, 91 cm high, 68 cm wide, 56 cm deep
***
***
***
An antique Australian blackwood display cabinet, glazed top fitted with two adjustable shelves, the sides with fielded panels and bracket supported cornice, circa 1900, 199 cm high, 110 cm wide, 33 cm deep
***
***
***
An antique blackwood pedestal with faded finish, Tasmanian origin, 19th/20th century, 96 cm high, 30 cm wide, 30 cm deep
***
***
***
An antique Australian turned blackwood pedestal, 19th/20th century, 105 cm high, 29 cm wide, 29 cm deep
***
***
***
An Australian Arts & Crafts bookcase with knee hole desk compartment, manufactured in American oak, carved with Illawarra flame tree motif, early 20th century, with original ink stamp to the reverse of drawer 'Miss Gethers, wood carving studio, Sydney', 168 cm high, 152 cm wide, 50 cm deep
***
***
***
Circle of Robert Prenzel Australian blackwood hall seat with carved griffin and face mask decoration, early 20th century, 138 cm high x 115 cm wide x 41 cm deep
***
***
***
An Australian blackwood roll-top desk in the Cutler style, early 20th century, 117 cm high, 122 cm wide, 75 cm deep
***
***
***
Wombat park (Daylesford, Victoria) Australian Arts & Crafts eucalypt dining table, designed by famed Australian architect Rodney Howard Alsop, circa 1908, 79 cm high, 188 cm wide, 88 cm deep. Provenance: Shapiro Auctions, Sydney. Previously Leonard Joel, 'Wombat park. Daylesford', March, 1995, lot 189.
***
***
***
An Australian Arts & Crafts blackwood firescreen carved with gumnuts and leaves with branch decoration, in the manner of Prenzel, early 20th century, 70 cm high, 86 cm wide, 17 cm deep
***
***
***
An Australian blackwood Arts & Crafts circular dining table with four matching chairs, early 20th century, the table 74 cm high, 132 cm diameter
***
***
***
An Australian blackwood pedestal with square top, supported by a vase and baluster shaped column, circa 1920, 104 cm high, 30 cm wide, 29 cm deep
***
***
***
An embossed brass fire screen after Emanuel Phillips fox 'Captain cook Landing at Botany bay, circa 1770', early 20th century, 76 cm high, 75 cm wide
***
***
***
An antique jarrah piano seat with open front compartment, Western Australian origin, early 20th century, 67 cm high, 71 cm wide, 41 cm deep
***
***
***
Harry Goldman of Melbourne, important exhibition carver armchair, figured eucalypt, circa 1924, ink stamp to base 'Australian Forest Commission of Victoria, Melbourne', bearing presentation silver plaque in the shape of the map of Australia engraved 'Presented to the Honble (sic) J. W. Pennington M.L.A. Chairman, Victorian Commission, British Empire Exhibition, Wembley Park, 1924-1925. As a memento of the Government of Victoria, Melbourne, May, 1926' and with 'H. Goldman' plaque to back of seat rail, 92 cm…
***
***
***
An Australian pokerwork circular occasional table with medieval landscape scene with figures in castle, circa 1925, 54 cm high, 60 cm diameter
***
***
***
An Arts & Crafts hallstand carved with Australian flora and fauna including possums, koala, cockatoo, gumnuts and leaves, early 20th century
***
***
***
An antique English mahogany spade back carver chair, early to mid 19th century, 52 cm across the arms
***
***
N/A
***
An Australian solid maple pedestal with baluster trunk, square top, conforming base and bun feet, circa 1910, 103 cm high, 40 cm wide, 40 cm deep, (square top 29 x 29 cm)
***
***
***
A Gothic revival Tasmanian blackwood lectern with grape and leaf carved panel, mid 20th century, bearing brass dedication plaque 'In loving remembrance of my husband, Norman McKinnon who fell asleep in Jesus on June 16th, 1943', 126 cm high, 41 cm wide, 41 cm deep
***
***
***
Arnott's famous Biscuits vintage folding chair emblazoned with the famous Arnott's rosella in yellow and red, mid 20th century
***
***
***
Fred Ward set of four Queensland maple 'DC1' dining chairs made for Fler, Melbourne, mid 20th century
***
***
***
Schulim Krimper pair of Australian single beds, mid 20th century
***
***
N/A
***
Hans Hayson mid-century style writing desk with teak veneered top above a bank of three drawers, supported on turned teak legs, 20th century, 70 cm high, 123 cm wide, 63 cm deep
***
***
***
Grant Featherston 'Expo sound chair mark II' vintage blue upholstered chair, 114 cm high
***
***
***
An antique Australian kauri pine circular wine tabletop with folk Art painting of fairy wrens in a tree, 19th century, 61 cm diameter
***
***
***
An antique New Zealand two tier occasional table with native timber parquetry starburst top, unfortunately damaged with later central replacement, 19th century, 72 cm high, 59 cm diameter
***
***
***
Twelve assorted antique Spanish pieces of eight silver coinage in varying States, 18th century, 90.3 grams total
***
***
***
Convict love tokens twohalf penny examples with engraved initials, 18th/19th century, 2.5 cm diameter
***
***
***
Convict love tokens penny and halfpenny examples, one attractively engraved with dove and initials, the other with leaf and monogram initials, 18th/19th century, (2 items)
***
***
***
Convict era antique handcuffs (no key), early 19th century, 23 cm wide
***
***
***
Convict leg irons with key, 19th century, 47 cm wide
***
***
***
Convict Department belt buckle stamped 'Her Majesty's convict Department', mid 19th century, 8 cm wide
***
***
***
Port Arthur type gaol door bolt, 19th century, 46 cm wide
***
***
***
Pentridge Prison original cell door lock with later key, circa 1852, working order, 25.5 x 18 cm
***
***
***
A New South Wales Police tunic (pocketless), circa 1890, with six original New South Wales (Crown) Police buttons. An extremely rare survivor.
***
***
***
Gaol Warders N.S.W. Buttons (2), convict Prison button, and a convict Department button; together with an antique British brass coat of arms, 19th century, (5 items), the coat of arms 13.5 cm wide
***
***
***
Antique English socket bayonet with war Department 'W. D.' and broad arrow marks, made for a Martini-Henry rifle, 63 cm long
***
***
***
Hiatt antique nickel plated handcuffs with screw-key, 23 cm wide
***
***
***
Hiatt antique handcuffs with screw-key, 19th century, 22 cm wide
***
***
***
Antique nickel plated adjustable handcuffs with screw key, 24 cm wide
***
***
***
The voyage of the 'Hayeston' from Madras to New South Wales 1815-16. A manuscript letter from the Sheriff's office, Madras, dated 17th November 1815, informing C.M. Ricketts, chief Secretary at Fort William, Bengal, informing him that the owner of the 'Hayeston' has advised that 'the provisions and water for the European convicts now under sentence' are now on board and that the ship 'will drop down the river on Sunday or Monday next....for the embarkation of the Convicts.' records show that twelve…
***
***
***
From Slave-Owners in Grenada to Police Magistrate in Hobart - letters to William Tarleton, 1839 to 1847: a recently discovered group of six outer covers and entries, addressed to William Tarleton from various family members and associates: 1: June 1839 entry from Liverpool to Tarleton at the mount Pleasant Estate, Carriacou, Grenada; rated '2/3', endorsed 'p. Packet of 30 June' and with Liverpool and London postmarks. A long and detailed cross-written letter from John B. Moore. 2: Nov. 1840 outer cover…
***
***
N/A
***
A receipt dated 25 June 1819, issued by the chief Officer at Calcutta acknowledging receipt from 'on board the ship St. Michael....the following ten European convicts, for New South Wales, with one pr of leg irons and one pr of handcuffs for each, with locks and keys'. Then follow the names, which include George Laurent, Thomas Pembroke and James Lee, who are all recorded arriving in Van Diemens Land on 9th Nov.1819. The other names listed (James Holmes, Michael O'Brien, John Howlett, etc.)
***
***
***
The Principal Superintendent at Launceston Reports on two Absconders - December 1825. 23rd Dec.1825 letter from John Lakeland, Superintendent at Launceston, to A.W. H. Humphrey, Superintendent of Police advising that two prisoners - Michael Moven and James Walmsley had absconded from the public works at Launceston, and 'cannot now be found.' Michael Moven had arrived in March 1817 aboard 'Sir William Bensley', sentenced to transportation for life. James Walmsley had arrived in December 1821 aboard…
***
***
***
27th January 1851 letter from the under Secretary to the Government of Bengal (Dalrymple) to the Sheriff of Calcutta, with details of 'the ten European convicts under sentence of transportation' informing him that passage 'has been procured per barque 'Alibi', which vessel is now ready to sail for van Diemen's Land.' a list of 'Bengal Convicts' and 'Bombay Convicts' is provided. The barque 'Alibi' arrived in van Diemen's land on 25th May 1851 with just sixteen convicts onboard. Most of the convicts from…
***
***
***
Sarah Ann hill - found Guilty of Murder and Transported for the Term of her natural life: two court documents recording the proceedings at York Assizes in December 1851 at which hill was found guilty of killing her new-born baby and leaving the body in a bonnet-box on Wakefield railway station. She was initially sentenced to death by hanging but there was a huge outcry and, as this document further records, the sentence was commuted to 'her being Transported beyond the Seas....'. The second document…
***
***
***
A slight Misunderstanding?. A manuscript letter dated 19th Nov.1846 to Mr. Thomas, under Sheriff of Calcutta, explaining that 'I beg to return this letter to Captain Charlesworth which he refuses to receive as contrary to the engagement entered into with Government which was to convey the convicts alluded to Sydney and not to van Diemen's Land..'
***
***
***
Convicts & Transportation: Acts of Parliament & Reports: July 1812 English Act 'for amending...the Provisions....imposing the Penalty of death for any Act done in Breach of or Resistance to any part of the Laws for collecting his Majesty's Revenue'; July 1825 'An Act for registering of British Vessels.'; July 1830 'Returns relating to the Employment of convicts at New South Wales; 1826-1828'; March 1832 'Copy of the instructions issued to the Governor of New South Wales for the Regulation of the Penal…
***
***
***
John Henry Capper: two Reports of John Henry Capper, Esq. Superintendent of ships and vessels Employed for the Confinement of Offenders under Sentence of Transportation: dated 16th July 1825. [London, house of Commons. 1826.] 11pp. Folio. British Parliamentary paper. HC36. Contains lists of convict hulks at Portsmouth, Gosport, Sheerness, Chatham, Woolwich & Deptford with numbers of convicts. Summaries of work performed, health etc.
***
***
***
Police office Hobart. Single page manuscript letter dated 8th April 1835 from the Police office in Hobart to the chief Police Magistrate in Hobart town, framed and mounted, 32 x 19 cm visual, 47 x 33 cm overall
***
***
***
Tasmanian convict photograph: a carte-de-visite, annotated verso: '28. Alexander Woods, per London. Taken at Port Arthur 1874'. Alexander wood was one of 250 convicts transported onboard the 'London', arriving in van Diemen's land on 9th July 1844. He had been convicted and court martialled at St. Johns, Newfoundland, and sentenced to 14 years transportation. The prison photograph was taken 30 years after his arrival.
***
***
***
Tasmanian convict photograph: a carte-de-visite, annotated verso: '36. Henry Williams per Gov'r Phillip. Taken at Port Arthur 1874'. Henry Williams (transported as William Williams), was convicted of Housebreaking at the Supreme court in Hobart town and sentenced to 5 years in gaol. He had arrived in van Dieman's land aboard the 'Governor Phillips'. The prison record shows he was discharged in February 1876.
***
***
***
Tasmanian convict photograph: a carte-de-visite, annotated verso: '97. Robert West per 'Gilmore'. Taken at Port Arthur 1874'. Robert West was convicted at Kent and sentenced to 7 years transportation. He had arrived in van Diemen's land aboard the 'Gilmore' in March 1832, 42 years before this photograph was taken.
***
***
***
Tasmanian convict photograph: a carte-de-visite, annotated verso: '108. Thomas Wilson alias Murphy. Per 'Dd Clark'. Taken at Port Arthur 1874.' Thomas Wilson was convicted at Carnarvonshire on 1 Aug 1840 for breaking into a dwelling and stealing. Gaol report: 'vicious, desperate disposition, conduct disorderly & bad connections'. 15 year transportation sentence. Sent to van Diemen's land per the ship 'David Clarke' on it's only voyage carrying convicts, arriving 4 Oct 1841. He was still in gaol 33 years…
***
***
***
Tasmanian convict photograph: a carte-de-visite, annotated verso: '134. Thomas wood or key, native'. Taken at Port Arthur 1874.' Thomas wood (transported as Thomas key on the lady Nugent) was sentenced to six years for housebreaking and larceny, at the Supreme court, Hobart. Claiming to be native born, in fact he was originally found guilty at Nottingham quarter Sessions in 1836 and transported for 7 years.
***
***
***
Tasmanian convict photograph: a carte-de-visite, annotated verso: '259. George Wilson, Ld Lyndock 3. Taken at Port Arthur 1874.' George Wilson arrived in New South Wales on the 8th August 1838 aboard the Lord Lyndoch. He had been transported for life at the Glasgow court of Justiciary.
***
***
***
Tasmanian convict photograph: a carte-de-visite, annotated verso: '312 + 313 Charles Ward or Hayes per Moffatt 2 . Taken at Port Arthur 1874.' Ward (who called himself John) arrived aboard the Moffatt in May 1834, following his conviction at York. His sentence was transportation for 14 years.
***
***
***
Tasmanian convict photograph: a carte-de-visite, annotated verso: 'Percy Westaway, Launceston.' Westaway, a native born 28 year old engine driver and miner, was found guilty of larceny at the Supreme court Launceston on 27th March 1890. He was imprisoned for 3 years. The record shows that he was imprisoned for larceny again in December 1916.
***
***
***
Edward (Ned) Kelly Cartes-De-Visite, a pair of cartes-de-visite produced by Clifford, Morris & Co., Royal arcade, Dunedin, the first depicting the sixteen year-old 'Edward Kelly, When Received into Gaol. 2nd August, 1871' and the second titled 'Edward Kelly, When Discharged from Gaol. February, 1874'. While images of the heavily bearded Kelly are better known, these images of Ned Kelly as a teenager and at the age of 20, are rarely seen. These two cartes-de-visite are the only examples known to US of…
***
***
***
Kelly Gang interest. Bound volume of the Australasian Sketcher with several references to the famous bushranger gang, as well as other notable events such as the Loch Ard wreck.
***
***
***
[Bushrangers] a small box containing ten glass plate negatives, circa 1890s, including two portraits of Harry power (bushranger), Frederick Deeming (serial killer, possibly Jack-the-Ripper), Inspector hare with police party (Kelly Gang capture), and others; all approx. 16 x 10.5 cm. (10 items).
***
***
***
An original glass magic lantern slide of Ned Kelly; Charles Nettleton's portrait of Kelly taken the day before his execution on 11th November 1880. The slide maker is unknown, but probably J. Searle of Melbourne; 1890s, 85 x 82 mm.
***
***
***
An original glass magic lantern slide of Harry power; Charles Nettleton's portrait of power, also known as Henry Johnson, an early associate of Ned Kelly. The slide maker is unknown, but probably J. Searle of Melbourne; 1890s, 82 x 80 mm.
***
***
***
[The Kelly Gang] an original glass magic lantern slide of the Victorian police involved in the pursuit and capture of Ned Kelly and his Gang including hare and Steele; the slide maker is J. Searle of Melbourne; 1890s, 82 x 82 mm.
***
***
***
[Kelly Gang] a glass plate negative (16.3 x 10 cm) for a carte-de-visite or cabinet card portrait of Steve Hart, a member of the Kelly Gang; by Barnes of Wangaratta; taken in 1878, is the only verified image of Hart, who was only 21 when he died. The negative appears to be circa 1890s. Hart took part in the infamous siege of Glenrowan in which he, Dan Kelly and Joe Byrne were killed. Following Byrne's death from a police bullet during the night, and Ned's capture in the early morning (at roughly 7am) of…
***
***
***
A magic lantern slide of Frederick Deeming (Serial killer Jack-the-Ripper?), probably by Searle of Melbourne, circa 1890s; 82 x 82 mm. Frederick Bailey Deeming (1853 – 1892) was an English-born Australian murderer. He was convicted and executed for the murder of a woman in Melbourne. He is remembered today because he was suspected by some of being the notorious serial killer, Jack the Ripper. An example of this image is held by the Victorian Police Museum.
***
***
***
The three Victorian Police detectives responsible for the arrest of Frederick Deeming; Kennedy, Consedine and Cawsen; a large format glass plate negative (25 x 20 cm), circa 1890; together with a print from the negative.
***
***
***
An antique Australian blackwood truncheon, 19th/20th century, 36 cm long
***
***
***
A New South Wales Police tunic with envelope pockets, six original New South Wales (Crown) Police buttons, circa 1910s. Very rarely seen.
***
***
***
Two Australian hardwood timber truncheons, 19th/20th century, 35 cm and 36 cm long
***
***
***
The British convict ship 'Success', series of six unused postcards
***
***
***
Victoria Police auxiliary Force 'Instructions to Police Reservists'; together with badge and a 'Police Force Victoria motor Sport' car badge, (3 items)
***
***
***
Replica convict handcuffs with key, 20th century, 29 cm wide
***
***
***
Replica leg irons and handcuffs, 20th century, (2 items), the leg irons 128 cm long
***
***
***
An antique iron dingo trap, 19th/20th, 58 cm long
***
***
***
Fusil de Chasse antique French flintlock fowling piece with brass furniture and 100 cm barrel, circa 1750, 143 cm long
***
***
***
An antique English muzzle load percussion cap rifle, the lock stamped 'T. Ketland & Co.' mid 19th century, 117 cm long
***
***
***
Wooley & Co. Antique English sword scabbard, circa 1796-98, would suit a P1796 infantry or naval officer's sword, 78.5 cm long
***
***
***
Colonel Robert Baldock antique miniature portrait of a British military officer, early 19th century, 9.5 X 7.5 cm, 16.5 X 14 cm overall titled verso on old label. Baldock was a Colonel in the Honourable East India Company's service and the Bengal Infantry. He died at Woodlands, South Australia in May 1859.
***
***
***
Godfrey Baldock antique miniature portrait of a gentleman in military dress, early 19th century, 7.5 x 6.5 cm, 13.5 x 12 cm overall. Titled verso on an old label.
***
***
***
An antique English percussion cap pistol with 'Tower Proof' stamp and crown mark, 6' barrel, .69 calibre, circa 1837, 32 cm long
***
***
***
A circa 1890s Scottish Cadet officer's tunic from Victoria. The tunic is doublet-style with collar badges, and is displayed together with a kilt (probably early 20th century), a waistbelt of correct Slade-Wallace type, a sporran which dates to 1935 and spatts, socks, etc., from around the 1920s. Accompanied by the correct sidecap (which lacks badge). A handsome and rare exhibit.
***
***
***
Major Arthur Jamieson Meikle (1869-1954). A series of letters dating from August 1914, before his departure from port Lincoln, and continuing to December 1915, that letter headed 'Walden Grove - Anzac - Turkey' (Then a medical post and now a cemetery at Gallipoli). The letters, to a friend, Mrs John Myers of Coulta, South Australia, are highly articulate and insightful. In his letter for 30th May 1915, headed 'Gallipoli Peninsula' he writes 'You'd see from the papers that we landed here on the 25th April -…
***
***
***
World War one original photographs including the No.20 battery, field artillery training at Seymour in March 1914; C. Sub. No.19 battery F.A. Also at Seymour in 1914; an original sepia print by Antippa, Cairo, of Australian and British troops posing on the great pyramid (23 x 29 cm); three postcard size photos of the Gallipoli landing, two of which are titled 'Two hours after landing'; an Australian Bristol fighter plane on the Western front; and an Australian flying Corp plane on the ground in the middle…
***
***
***
The Australian naval and military Expeditionary Force: 'Infantry training. (4-Company Organization) 1914' handbook (265pp + adverts) issued to 'S.H. Watkins, No.176. 'Aus. Nav. & Mil. Exped. Force, Rabaul. 1914' with his manuscript details in pen to the contents page. Accompanied by two other associated books, 'Our new Possessions' by Captain J. Lyng (1919), and 'The Australian soldiers gift Book' edited by Ethel turner. (3). The Australian naval and military Expeditionary Force was the first military unit…
***
***
***
Australian Forces Camped at the great Pyramids of Giza, Egypt: black and white two page albumen panoramic view, 22 x 49.5 cm, 44 x 71 cm overall
***
***
***
Ernest Albert Epple, 1st. Australian motor transport service: World War I tunic with rising sun lapel badges and patches (1916-1919) and original Turkish-knot style buttons. Epple was in the motor transport battalion. The tunic is made from barathea material and was probably privately tailored.
***
***
***
A makeshift 'Postcard' from Gallipoli: Because of the shortage of writing materials, the soldiers present during the Gallipoli campaign had to resort to using whatever they could scrounge. This makeshift card was made using the lid from a special Crown Virginia cigarette box, endorsed 'On active service. No stamps Available' and is headed 'Dear Sweetheart' from 'Shrapnel Valley' and is addressed to Miss Harding at harbour Street, Mosman bay in Sydney. With a red censorship marking, the date of despatch has…
***
***
***
1914 large-format photographs by Melbourne photographer, Algernon Darge in 1914: 'F Coy. 5BN 1st A.I.F. Marching to camp 19/8/14'; 'H. Co. 5th Batt.'; and, 'B Co. 7th Batt.'; the images all approx. 18 x 30 cm and laid down on backing cards (which are defective).
***
***
***
A 'Kodak Souvenirs' photo album containing 97 snapshots which appear to have been taken by an officer on-board 'H.M.A.T.S. Anglo-Egyptian'. The cargo ship was leased by the Australian Commonwealth between 1915 and 1917 and used as a troop transport. Many of the images are annotated at Salonika, Alexandria, off Lemnos, Persian Gulf, Basra on the river Tigris, as well as other ships, soldiers of Allied countries and Turkish prisoners.
***
***
***
World War I period Red Cross full sized fired plaster bust of a nurse, ex-Repatriation Hospital in Sydney, 61 cm high
***
***
***
World War I period British patriotic pottery lion with peace shield, sold to raise funds for the war effort, manufactured by Bretby Pottery, 15 cm high, 25 cm long
***
***
***
Some postcards to home: a 1916-18 collection of postcards sent by Australian soldiers, while en route to the Western front, from England and from France and Belgium; several silks, and mostly expressing their longing for home and their loved ones, and their hope for return mail that never seems to come. Accompanied by several Christmas cards from the same correspondence and several postcards that were mailed in envelopes (without written messages). (35+ items).
***
***