A mini camp stove especially adapted for extreme altitudes and weather conditions – and used in 1933 in the hunt for missing Mt Everest explorers George Mallory and Andrew Irvine – will be part of a special Steve Graham auction from 10am Sunday August 23 at 64 Urquhart Street, Woodend.

The stove, which may well be unique, was modified for use in high altitudes by Scottish climber Percy Unna.

Mallory and Irvine were part of an ill-fated 1924 British expedition to conquer the world’s tallest mountain.

Christian McCann’s on site sale last month of the contents of the nearby property “Moonya” so impressed the owner of 15 Linlithgow Street, Toorak she was prompted to contact him to perform a similar auction at her house.

“It was only a quick settlement of the sale of the house that prevented the auction going ahead in her home,” he said.

So now the sale is being held from noon Sunday August 23 in Christian McCann Auctions room at 426 Burnley Street, Richmond.

While a large book collection is the highlight for Abbeys Auctions general sale from 9am Friday August 21 at 480-482a Station Street Box Hill, auction goers are looking forward to the company’s special sale on Saturday August 29.

This forthcoming collectables sale features a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-date 18-carat yellow gold watch with 10 diamonds and a vintage Rolex. 

Another major drawcard – particularly for porcelain collectors – is the William White 1920 Royal Doulton figure The Coquette HN20 wearing a blue dress.

E.J. Ainger’s forthcoming special antique sale is a strong mix of three major estates that include the collection of a “Melbourne gentleman’s” paintings, etchings, prints and posters – about 100 in total.

The auction will start at 11am each day on Saturday August 15 and Sunday August 16 at 433 Bridge Road, Richmond.

A Caulfield vendor has a good collection of Royal Worcester including a Harry Stinton vase – while from Warrandyte comes statuary and bronzes, including one entitled The Three Graces and several French terracotta pieces.