SPECIAL BULLETIN FROM THE MARITME HERITAGE ASSOCIATION OF VICTORIA
17th November 2010
National Trust to Auction Maritime Artefacts Next Sunday
A brief summary of the present position and proposed immediate action
To accommodate the recent new Plenary development to extend the Melbourne Exhibition Centre (Jeff’s Shed), the Melbourne Maritime Museum was demolished and all of the artefacts were placed in storage. Due to the ongoing cost of storage, the National Trust has returned some of the items where the original owner could be identified and found.
Yesterday the National Trust announced that the remaining items are to be auctioned on 21st November, giving only six days notice. The auction catalogue just released lists many items of significant maritime historical interest and value.
The maritime heritage community is extremely disappointed with the National Trust’s approach to cashing in on what is viewed as community property, the artefacts being gifted to the Trust as custodians of Melbourne’s maritime heritage.
With the objective of keeping the collection together and not allowing the items to be sold separately, the Seaworks Foundation and the MHAV are working together to make an offer for around 50 items, mostly including high quality ship models. Based on the catalogue prices, an offer of around $20,000 will be made to the National Trust to purchase these items.
Pledges have already been received totalling $8,500. This has been raised in the last 24 hours. Melbourne’s maritime heritage organisations and members are now working together to raise another $17,000, as further costs will be incurred for transportation and storage. In the near future these artefacts will become the centrepiece at Seaworks.
The catalogue may be viewed at
http://leonardjoel.com.au/auctions_catalogues.php?auction=121 Lots 1 - 50 include many excellent model ships with some items of interest in lots 51-105.
Please confirm your support to
[email protected] Your support is greatly appreciated.
Tim Horton
President
