First-Ever Auction of Olympic Double Gold Medals

MELBOURNE, Australia, October 20 /PRNewswire/ --

They were the toast of the 1956 Australian Olympics after unexpectedly winning gold in the 2000m Tandem cycling event. After 50 years of enduring mateship they are offering their gold medals, and selected Olympic and sporting memorabilia, for sale in what is believed to be a world first.

Ian 'Joey' Browne and Tony 'Tippy' Marchant were eliminated after losing their first two races but earned a reprieve when the Soviet Union pair were hospitalised following a crash. The success that followed was unexpected, mostly by them!

Among the lots for sale are Olympic participation medals, Commonwealth Games memorabilia, and various items of clothing.

The dual Olympic gold medals are being offered for sale by Leski Auctions on Thursday, November 6th at 5.30pm. Each gold medal has a pre-sale estimate of AUD$40,000 - AUD$50,000.

"This is an inspiring story of two friends who effectively made a pact to sell their significant collection of Olympic and sporting memorabilia," says Charles Leski. "This is Australian mateship writ large."

NB: Both Browne and Marchant in a rare show of solidarity are putting up a total of 62 lots with a pre-sale estimate of between AUD$120,000 and AUD$150,000. Their tandem bike from the 1956 Melbourne Olympics is on permanent display at the National Sports Museum, Melbourne.

For medal images please refer- http://asianetnews.net/specialEvents.asp

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.

It was the first auction house in Australia to introduce an on-line, real-time bidding system 'Live Bid Online'(TM), 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.

The company is located at 13 Cato Street, Hawthorn East 3123 Australia. Telephone +61-3-864-9999 and www.leski.com.au

    
    CONTACT: Charles Leski,
    Leski Auctions
    Tel: +61-3-9864-9999
    charles@leski.com.au

    Michael Krape
    Michael Krape Consulting
    Tel: +61-403-135-880
    michaelkrape@krape.com.au

    Web site: http://asianetnews.net/specialEvents.asp
              http://www.leski.com.au 

SOURCE Charles Leski Auctions