Giant collection of militaria up for auction
Australia’s largest collection of historic militaria – amassed by one passionate enthusiast – is up for auction this week.
Rod Bellars, of Victoria, collected more than 10,000 items of military equipment over the span of 60 years before his death last year.
His collection included tanks, firearms, swords, military uniforms, helmets, boots and heavy artillery.
They are now being offered to the public in an online auction this week by Lloyds Auctioneers and Valuers.
The collection was discovered in shipping containers and storage sheds on Mr Bellars’ rural property.
“We were in complete disbelief when we arrived to inspect the collection,” said Lee Hames, Chief Operations Officer for Lloyds.
“These are some of the rarest militaria collectables from World War I and World War II that we have ever seen.”
Lloyds said it has received thousands of inquiries from around the world and expects some fierce bidding battles.
“We have had inquiry all over Europe and Asia on these items all from passionate collectors and militaria enthusiasts just like Rod was, so we are sure that there will be many custodians that will treasure his collectables just as he did throughout his lifetime,” Mr Hames said.
Items from the collection will be sold through 14 separate online auctions which are live now and include tanks, artillery, swords, firearms, helmets, radios, boots, parachutes and military uniform.
The auctions start closing from this Saturday, February 19.
