Leonard Joel’s specialist prints and photography auction features strong images and bold colours to particularly attract younger buyers keen to hang them in their homes or apartments.

With many of the items carrying estimates under $1000, it is the perfect opportunity for buyers to purchase works by well-known Australian artists at a fraction of the price they would pay for paintings.

A 1960 self-portrait of Australian artist Ernest Buckmaster has been discovered as the backing for another of his paintings earmarked for auction at E.J. Ainger’s two-day special sale from 11am Saturday May 21 and Sunday May 22 at 433 Bridge Road, Richmond.

Discovered by the restorer who was busy cleaning the auction painting for Aingers (a seascape of Mentone – where Buckmaster lived during the 1930s and 1940s), the self-portrait has been fitted to a canvas, mounted in a beautiful period frame and also will be part of the sale.

The 1853 “First Hunt Steeplechase Trophy” – offered for auction for the first time in 163 years – is a major highlight of Leonard Joel’s Asian Art, Classic Furniture & Objects auction from noon Sunday May 15 at 333 Malvern Road, South Yarra.

Ironically, the Leonard Joel’s sale takes place only a few blocks from where the trophy (won by colonial pioneer Alexander McLean Hunter’s horse Benedict) was originally presented – the former Prahran Course located in the precinct between what is now Toorak Road and Fawkner Park in Melbourne’s South Yarra.

Auction goers will have the opportunity to see the late Suzanne Cecil’s personal collection at her magnificent Toorak home for more than two days before Mossgreen transfers all the items to its rooms at 926-930 High Street, Armadale for auction from 2.30pm Sunday May 15.

Descended from Henry Buck – one of Melbourne’s most distinguished and recognised family names – Sue was actively involved in the family retail business, but had a lifelong passion for painting and the arts.