19 November 2018

Over $500,000 of Tattersalls heir estate sold: final container just released

| Rachel Ziv
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rob evans

The last container comes from Dr Flynn’s redundant residence in Vasey Crescent, Campbell where he once lived.

After massive interest in the first estate auction of Dr John Flynn – heir to the Tattersalls fortune and a well-known philanthropist and academic – the final collection from his estate has just been released.

In excess of $500,000 of antiques was sold from his grand Westridge House in Yarralumla earlier this year by Canberra Antique Auctions (a new division of well-known Canberra auction site ALLBIDS). The last container comes from Dr Flynn’s redundant residence in Vasey Crescent, Campbell where he once lived.

The sale includes items that Dr Flynn would have acquired himself as a keen collector, and items that appear to have been in his family for centuries.

antique furniture canberra

George III Upholstered Square Back Settee of Hepplewhite Design Circa 1800.

Specialist art and antique appraiser Andrew Whitehead is curating the sale, and furniture conservator and historian Greg Peters is managing the cataloguing and careful movement of furniture from the Campbell house to the ALLBIDS showroom.

ALLBIDS CEO Rob Evans says everyone is sad to see the end of the estate, after working on it for six months and having the privilege to be around some of the most amazing antique furniture ever seen in Canberra.

“The sale has been very well supported by Canberrans and the greater Canberra region, with local buyers winning most items – even up against antique dealers from right across Australia. We were delighted because it means that these precious pieces of Canberran and Australian history will be kept here.

“There is no shortage of antiques in this last collection. We have magnificent chests of drawers, long case clocks, numerous tables and side tables and card tables, a wonderful collection of arm chairs and dining chairs, and other interesting looking items that he had in the house that have such age and history.”

1880 Victorian Chair, George III Mahogany Longcase Clock, 1820 Irish Regency Breakfast Table.

Items of particular note include:

“We also have a number of art pieces from the likes of Justin O’Brien and Donald Friend,” says Rob. “And there are three 19th century Fijian clubs, as Dr Flynn was a great linguist and academic, and had a long association with Fiji.”

Proceeds from the estate sale will be used to continue Dr Flynn’s philanthropic aspirations, via support for a number of charities including the National Trust of Australia (NSW) and Jesuit Mission Australia.

The auction of the final container from Dr Flynn’s estate ends 22/11/2018 at approximately 8 pm.

To view the collection, visit ALLBIDS or stop by the showroom at 7 Wiluna St, Fyshwick.

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