CHARLES LESKI AUCTIONS PTY. LTD.
13 Cato Street, Hawthorn East 3123, Victoria, Australia
Telephone:
Facsimile:
61-3-9864-9999
61-3-9822-2788
Email: contact@leski.com.au
A.B.N.13 081 928 921
Media Release
22nd
June, 2009
OFFICIAL PROGRAMS RECALL FIRST WALLABIES TOUR TO GREAT BRITAIN
It was a mere seven years after Federation that an Australian Wallabies side toured internationally for the first
time (other than a NZ tour in 1905). For the team of dedicated amateurs this was no hop on the Kangaroo
route to London, but a long and arduous sea journey that gave new meaning to the term ‘home ground
advantage’.
These two official programs from 1908 being offered for sale are exceptionally rare and provide a glimpse
into the game’s evolution at the highest level.
The first program ‘Australia v Neath and Aberavon’ includes a team picture on the inside pages. It was
played on October 15th 1908 against a Welsh team, less than two weeks before Australia won the rugby
tournament at the 1908 London Olympics.
The second program, dated November 25th, 1908 covers the Australia v Lancashire match played at
Fallowfield on the outskirts of Manchester.
Lots 818 & 819 will be offered for sale by Leski Auctions in Melbourne on Tuesday, June 30th at 5.00pm.
Each lot has a presale estimate of $1,000 – $1,500.
“Despite their success at the Olympics, more than half the team defected from the Union code to join the
newly-created League on their return to Australia,” says Charles Leski. “They followed in the footsteps of
champion player Dally Messenger who had defected a year earlier. These programs are a final testament to
Union dominance in Australia.”
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
Issued by:
Charles Leski, Leski Auctions
Michael Krape, Michael Krape Consulting
CHARLES LESKI AUCTIONS PTY. LTD.
13 Cato Street, Hawthorn East 3123, Victoria, Australia
Telephone:
Facsimile:
61-3-9864-9999
61-3-9822-2788
Email: contact@leski.com.au
A.B.N.13 081 928 921
Tel: 61-3-9864 9999
Tel: 0403 135 880
charles@leski.com.au
michaelkrape@krape.com.au
NEWS 
