What is it about doctors and lawyers? Time and again, I find there’s a connection between these professions and a deep, often highly intellectual approach to collecting. Dr. Lee Price was just such a collector.
Every collection is special in its own way, that almost goes without saying, but each is also, in a sense, a three-dimensional library of a life: a record of taste, passion, and curiosity. This particular collection stands apart not just for its quality, but because of the rare opportunity to present it in its original setting, in Queensland.
Typically, material emerging from Queensland for public auction makes its way south. That’s often driven by vendor preferences, but also by practical realities – most notably, the absence of a traditional, fully equipped auction room in the state. This collection offered something different and we were enthused to bring Leonard Joel to Maleny for this viewing and auction.
Even before my first visit, I sensed that this was an opportunity to present a collection exactly as its owner had intended, not fragmented, not relocated, but experienced in situ. The property itself, in Maleny, is nothing short of grand. It is beautifully composed, with meticulously cared-for gardens and commanding views across the Queensland hinterland.
When I first arrived, however, the mist was so dense that the view was entirely obscured. Yet the garden alone was extraordinary; lush, green, and deeply evocative. It was clear from that moment that this was a place of care and sustained attention.
Inside, that same sensibility revealed itself in full. The collection unfolds throughout the house, not as a series of discrete objects, but as an integrated whole. This was a home conceived as a living museum, shaped by a man with a growing passion for Japanese and broader Asian art.
The collection, spanning some 250 lots, is comprehensive in both scope and ambition. But what makes it truly special is that it is not limited to a handful of highlights. Instead, we are afforded the privilege of presenting the entire story; the furnishings, the decorative elements, the carefully sourced interiors, much of it acquired through fine Brisbane makers and designers. It feels complete, and in that completeness, deeply personal.
This sense of wholeness extends beyond the collection itself. In collaboration with Queensland real estate agents, we are able to offer not just the objects, but the property as a whole, opening it to both national and international audiences. It is a rare convergence: a significant collection, a remarkable home, and a setting that elevates both.
Over time, Dr. Lee Price’s taste refined and evolved, as is often the case with serious collectors. He gravitated toward the fine ceramic traditions of Japanese Satsuma ware, developing a particular appreciation for the mastery and delicacy of these works. Japanese screens, too, became central to the aesthetic of the home, serving both as decoration and as quiet background statements.
In this way, the collection becomes more than an assemblage, it is a survey of a period of exceptional artistry, filtered through a singular and thoughtful eye.
It is also important to acknowledge the man behind it. A prominent and highly respected figure within the Queensland health community, Dr. Lee Price was, in many respects, a Renaissance figure. His work in medicine, particularly in chemical pathology, combined with a passion for teaching and a wide-ranging intellectual curiosity, earned him a reputation within his field as something of an “oracle”.
This home, and the collection within it, was clearly his sanctuary, a place of reflection, study, and enjoyment, where the beauty of objects and ideas could coexist.
It is therefore a privilege for Leonard Joel to present this deeply personal collection. To do so in Queensland, and in its original setting, makes the opportunity all the more meaningful.
Now begins the next chapter, the process of placing these objects into new hands, with collectors who will, in time, build their own stories around them.
The Collection of Dr Lee Price, Maleny Auction will take place on Tuesday 29 September in Queensland. For viewing times and to see the full catalogue please visit our website.
The property itself, “Mountain View,” Maleny, will be presented to market by Jamie Hill and Mark Osborne at Property Today.
By John Albrecht, Managing Director & Head of Important Collections
Top Image: “Mountain View”, Maleny QLD
August 2026