Blanche d’Alpuget is preparing to auction off hundreds of items from the home she shared with her husband and former prime minister Bob Hawke.
The widow opened up the doors to her North Sydney property on Saturday to invite members of the public to peruse through the pieces of furniture and art.
‘Bob … was my favourite item but he’s gone so everything else can go,’ she told Daily Telegraph.
Ms d’Alpuget is downsizing to a $3.63million apartment and has chosen to auction the treasured collection since her husband passed away on May 16 – aged 89.
Blanche d’Alpuget (right) is preparing to auction off hundreds of items from the home she shared with her husband and former prime minister Bob Hawke (left)
Ms d’Alpuget had been present at the home as members of the public perused through the 235 items to be auctioned – including Australian cricket helmets and an Afghan wall hanging (pictured, a collection of cricket helmets and balls which Hawke acquired in 2000 have been listed for $300-$500)
A Hawke’s Larger esky owned by former prime minister Bob Hawke is expected to raise $200 – $300
Mr Hawke was Labor’s longest-serving prime minsiter, winning elections in 1983, 1984, 1987 and 1990.
Ms d’Alpuget had been present at the home as members of the public perused through the 235 items to be auctioned – including Australian cricket helmets and an Afghan wall hanging.
Though she is reported to have been overcome with emotion and moved to the kitchen as the viewing unfolded.
Visitors expressed their awe at the sight of the interior of the home.
‘I’m just amazed the home was open, how elegant, the design is very modern and the paintings are absolutely lovely, I especially like the horse racing ones,’ one person said.
Another visitor said they were pleased to have an inside look into the life of Mr Hawke.
‘Seeing all his cigars and cigar-related items has been fascinating,’ he said.
Andrew Shapiro, from Shapiro Auctioneers and Gallery, said the items present important moments in Australia’s history.
‘The home that Bob Hawke and Blanche d’Alpuget shared had an eclectic mix of 20th-century design furniture,’ he told Domain.
Prices range from $100 to an eye-watering $18,000 for fine art.
Shapiro will auction the memorabilia at Paddington RSL on August 27 and are expected to raise about $250,000.
Other items include a hand woven and painted Afghan wall hanging, which was gifted to Mr Hawke by the husband of former Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto, Asif Ali Zardari in 1996.
A set of golf clubs owned by former prime minister Bob Hawke
An oil canvas painted by Euan Macleod, a New Zealand-born Australian artist, titled Lone Figure in Gully, 1991, is expected to go for $14,000 – $18,000
A Chinese giltwood figure of Caishen (God of Wealth) presented to Mr Hawke by Malaysian businessman and politician Thomas Teng is priced between $1000 and $1500
Mr Zardari later became president of Pakistan and his gift is expected to raise about $800 -$1000.
An oil canvas painted by Euan Macleod, a New Zealand-born Australian artist, titled Lone Figure in Gully, 1991, is expected to go for $14,000 – $18,000.
Art works by famous Australian artists Tom McAuley, Hugh Sawrey and Leanne Wanjidari are also set to be auctioned off.
A collection of cricket helmets and balls which Hawke acquired in 2000 have been listed for $300- $500.
A signed black and white frame of cricket legend Don Bradman is expected to sell for $800 – $ 1200.
Mr Hawke’s set of assorted golf clubs, including Ping, Nike and Taylormade with Roc bag, is expected to go for $300- $500.
Ms d’Alpuget is downsizing to a $3.63million apartment and has chosen to auction the treasured collection since her husband passed away on May 16 – aged 89
Former Australian prime minister Bow Hawke with his widow Blanche d’Alpuget
Cigar boxes including a Versace ashtray and his gold-plated cigar cutter are also going under the hammer.
Mr Hawke’s Lager Esky is expected to raise $200 – $300.
A Chinese giltwood figure of Caishen (God of Wealth) presented to Mr Hawke by Malaysian businessman and politician Thomas Teng is priced between $1000 and $1500.
Furniture sets by famous Italian designers Paolo Piva and Antonio Citterio are also going to be auctioned off between $500 – $2,500
A photo frame with a photo of Mr Hawke and Ms d’Alpuget along with former prime minister Kevin Rudd and his wife Therese Rein is priced between $100 – $200.
The trove of items will be open to view to the public on Sunday as well before they go to auction on August 27.
Ms d’Alpuget is reported to have been overcome with emotion and moved to the kitchen as the viewing unfolded