Sir John Monash Autograph Book

Throughout his illustrious life, Sir John Monash, Australia's most distinguished military leader and an elder statesman of corporate and communal life, met some of the most influential people in the world.  

He sought their signatures, (as no doubt they did his), resulting in a remarkable album comprising hundreds of autographs, many with additional greetings or messages in the hand of the signatory.  

The result is a unique legacy which allows us to peer into the world that Monash occupied, from the late 19th to the early 20th centuries.  Not only did Monash rub shoulders with people who shaped world affairs, but also those who brought pleasure to countless people.

The small, burgundy leather book will be sold by Leski Auctions on May 26.  It is one of 73 lots being sold by Monash's descendants to fund charitable works through the family's philanthropic foundation.

"While the exploits of Sir John Monash at home and abroad loom large in contemporary Australian history, his dedication to collecting autographs points to a more prosaic pastime, one that many ordinary people indulge in," says auctioneer Charles Leski.  "Monash was, at heart, an ordinary man."

Among the hundreds of signatures are Queen Victoria; US President Herbert Hoover; Prime Ministers of Australia, Billy Hughes, Alfred Deakin, Andrew Fisher and James Scullin; General Jan Smuts, Prime Minister of South Africa; Arthur Balfour, Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom (responsible in 1917 for the Balfour Declaration); Arthur Conan Doyle (creator of Sherlock Holmes); Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the Scouting Movement; Baron Lionel Rothschild; Keith Murdoch; Rudyard Kipling; C. J. Dennis, author of The Songs of A Sentimental Bloke; Winston and Clementine Churchill; Antarctic explorer, Douglas Mawson; Thomas Edison; artist Arthur Streeton; Gladys Moncrieff; Percy Grainger; aviators Bert Hinkler, Amy Johnson and Charles Kingsford Smith; Violet Astor, Baroness Astor of Hever; and industrialist and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller.

Detail below - Lot 703, Sir John Monash autograph album, burgundy leather binding with gilt rules, overall 19 x 13.5cm, with hundreds of tipped-in or written signatures, many with additional greetings or messages in the hand of the signatory.  A loose-leaf typed index dated 27/4/31 is inserted at the front.  In the majority of cases, Monash has added details, titles, etc.  The pre-sale estimate is $10,000 - $20,000.    

Below - Queen Victoria

Below - additional signatures including Fmr US President Herbert Hoover and US General John Pershing.

The auction will be held on Sunday, May 26th from 10.00am.  Details can be found at www.leski.com.au

About Leski Auctions
Leski Auctions was established in 1973. Today, it is regarded as one of Australia's leading auctioneers of Sporting Memorabilia, Australian Art & Antiques, Collectibles and World Philately.  Among the many significant collections that Leski Auctions has been privileged to sell are 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.

Charles Leski is a registered valuer for the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts' Cultural Gifts Program.  He is also the valuer of the displayed items at the National Sports Museum at the MCG, Melbourne.  

The company is located at 727-729 High Street Armadale, Victoria 3143 Australia.  
Tel +61 3 8539 6150/+61 412 053 692 and www.leski.com.au