QUIRKY INVESTMENTS

Collecting Dinky die-cast toys is global phenomenon

James Cockington Trading in Dinky die-cast toys operates pretty much like any other stockmarket, except on a smaller scale. 1:48 scale in most cases.

Mossgreen auction of Max Dupain photos includes Sydney architecture and industry work

James Cockington Photographer Max Dupain's lesser known commercial photography tracks the development of Sydney, from the construction of the Opera House and the first skyscrapers to industrial sites around the city.

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Collectors revive interest in Aboriginal art

James Cockington Thomas Vroom is to sell off part of his collection of Aboriginal art at Bonhams' Australian art sale on June 7 in Sydney, after a resurgence of interest in Indigenous art.

Quirky Investments: Phar Lap racebooks to fetch thousands

James Cockington A collection of rare racebooks that track Phar Lap's progress are set to go to auction.

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Contemporary art collectors seek next big thing

James Cockington Keen buyers at the latest Leonard Joel fine art auction were ''all looking for the Brett Whiteley of the future''.

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Arthur Fleischmann sculptures for sale after decades in storage

James Cockington Sculptor Arthur Fleischmann spent a productive 10 years in Sydney, but his works from this period were kept in storage for half a century, and will now be sold.

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Collectors fall under spell of tribal art

James Cockington Many collectors are turning to tribal art, either out of fascination or because they've been priced out of the contemporary art market.

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Snuff bottles nothing to be sniffed at

James Cockington Former NSW politician Franca Arena is selling her beloved snuff bottle collection, gathered over 40 years from around the world. Ms Arena was a Senator in the NSW parliament from 1981 to 1999.

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Sale estimates for the Funny Picture Book no joke

James Cockington Antiquarian books have many admirers, may of whom can be expected to be excited by sales on Monday and Tuesday.

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Italian '80s furniture is hip with the in crowd

James Cockington Modern design, especially furniture, appears to be the boom category in 2016.

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The 1899 Melbourne Cup trophy could be yours but not the 1930 Phar Lap one

James Cockington Fewer than 10 19th-century racing trophies are known to survive.

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Collectors follow Kate's lead and make antique jewels sparkle again

James Cockington Famous women such as the Duchess of Cambridge and foreign minister Julie Bishop may be responsible for the revival of antique brooches.

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Hello, possums! Moonee Ponds home contents for sale

James Cockington Melbourne auction and antiques specialist Christian McCann has had considerable success over the past few years with his home contents sales, preferably conducted inside the house.

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The number plates that are worth more than cars

James Cockington There are people driving around today with number plates worth more than their cars.

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In World War II, refugees in Australia had their own currency

James Cockington There's a rare chance to buy banknotes used by refugees in internment camps during the Second World War.

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Vintage skateboards in hot demand

James Cockington Prices for vintage skateboards have taken off over the past 10 years or so.

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For sale: art works by late portrait painter Judy Cassab

James Cockington Painter Judy Cassab left "an indelible mark on the story of Australian art", with her portraits of everyone from prime ministers to princesses.

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50th anniversary of decimal currency: some early dollar bills worth $1500

James Cockington It's 50 years this week since Australia introduced decimal currency but only some early specimens are worth anything more than face value.

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Peter Norman's 'Black Power' Mexico Olympics singlet goes up for auction

James Cockington Local appetite for Olympic memorabilia is muted, but overseas it's a big genre for collectors.