Cricketing autograph book sells for $42,000 at Leski Auctions

By Richard Brewster, on 06-Sep-2018

Ben Barnett’s autograph book featuring the work of Arthur Mailey was the leading money earner at Leski Auctions Melbourne sale on September 2.

The book, entitled “Australian Cricket Tour – England 1934”, included illustrations of team members and touring party officials signed by both Arthur Mailey and the cricketers involved and went under the hammer for $42,000 against a high estimate of $7500.

Ben Barnett’s autograph book featuring the work of Arthur Mailey, cartoonist and test cricketer, which sold for $42,000 in Melbourne on 2 September 2018.

Ben Barnett’s autograph book featuring the work of Arthur Mailey, cartoonist and test cricketer, which sold for $42,000 in Melbourne on 2 September 2018.

Australian cricketing legend Sir Donald Bradman’s correspondence to Nigel Ward who lived in Norfolk, England was in second place with its hammer price of $30,000.

During the early 1990s, Ward conducted research into Bradman’s history and the archive comprised 49 hand and typewritten letters from the cricketing great from July 1990 to February 1999.

Franz Anton Melhem’s late 19th century Royal Bonn cricket-themed beer stein sold for $19,000, while the painting of late 19th century English cricket captain Dr W.G. Grace was bought for $12,000 by the lucky bidder.

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About The Author

Richard Brewster has been writing about the antiques and art auction industry for almost 20 years, first in a regular weekly column for Fairfax's The Age newspaper and also in more recent times for his own website Australian Auction Review. With 45 years experience as a journalist and public relations consultant, in 1990 Richard established his own business Brewster & Associates in Melbourne, handling a wide range of clients in the building, financial, antiques and art auction industries.