Mossgreen’s forthcoming Coins & Banknotes, Stamps & Postal History auction is a great opportunity for modest punters to dabble in the gold market without burning their fingers, according to Mossgreen director Charles Leski.

“The price of gold has dropped in recent times from $1850 an ounce to about $1200,” he said. “Normally, with the current unstable world situation, investors would initiate a run on gold – which hasn’t happened this time.”

As a result, the price of anything containing gold is down as much as 35-40 per cent compared with 10 years ago.

More than 100 years of photographic history will be highlighted in Leonard Joel’s cameras and photography auction from noon Thursday September 25 at 333 Malvern Road, South Yarra.

The oldest items on offer are 19^th century hand painted magic lantern slides, then they proceed through the stereoscope era to what purists describe as the best 35mm camera ever made – the Leica M3.

According to objects, books and collectibles manager Sasa Mitic cameras are beginning to see a similar resurgence in popularity – similar to that currently being enjoyed by vinyl records.

Estate, retro and English antique furnishings are among E.J. Ainger’s next weekly sale items from 9.30am Tuesday September 23 at 433 Bridge Road, Richmond.

The auction contains a strong selection of collectibles, along with Persian rugs and other items of interest from Toorak, South Yarra, Hawthorn, Kew and Hidden Valley homes.

The late Keith Swinton – who died in April this year – fell short of his 100^th birthday by three weeks.

A Warrnambool icon born just before the start of World War I, Keith was part of a family dynasty that lays claim to having Victoria’s (and perhaps Australia’s) oldest continuing retail business name – George Swinton and Sons.

The business was established in 1865 by his Scottish grandparents William and Ann Swinton and carried on by his father George and mother Florence.