PLEASE NOTE THAT THE RON BARASSI COLLECTION HAS BEEN PURCHASED PRIOR TO AUCTION AND THEREFORE THERE WILL BE NO AUCTION ON SUNDAY 4 SEPTEMBER 2016.
Ron, Paul Little and Leonard Joel are delighted to announce that the entire Ron Barassi Collection, scheduled for public auction on September 4th, has been purchased in its entirety by Paul Little for the purpose of preserving the collection for the football fans of Australia.
Paul Little AO:
“Ron is a great friend for whom I care and respect immensely and his unique, more than half century long, sporting and public legacy is something I wanted to secure forever. Over the years I’ve been conscious of Ron’s clear vision for this historically significant collection; a vision I share and we both believe this collection must stay intact and be placed on public display for all the football loving public to enjoy.
In discussions with the AFL, they have offered to assist in finding an appropriate home for this highly significant collection. Should the AFL acquire Etihad Stadium, it is possible a suitable location could be found at this home of Melbourne football to place the collection on permanent display. The Melbourne Football Club via its Chairman Glen Bartlett have also offered to assist with the collection which is of special and obvious significance to them.
Can I also highlight the professional cooperation from Leonard Joel and John Albrecht in particular in assisting all parties to navigate this delicate contribution.”
John Albrecht for Leonard Joel:
“The most memorable collection I believe I will ever manage in my lifetime has concluded with a dream only a very tiny handful of collectors ever realise and that is their treasures, both personal and historic, forming a public display for all to enjoy. Paul Little has made that dream a reality now for the Barassi family and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have negotiated this deal between Paul and Ron. It is not just a win-win, it is a win-win-win! While the purchase price must remain confidential I’m proud to advise on behalf of Leonard Joel that it is unquestionably the most valuable football sporting collection ever sold in Australia. The buyer is thrilled, Ron Barassi is so pleased the collection will remain intact and the third dimension is the icing on the cake; permanent public display celebrating the history of football and his key involvement in the development of the game. As an auctioneer I love an auction but I felt all along that this collection must stay together for public benefit and we achieved that result.”
Ron Barassi:
“I was born with football in my blood and I’ve had the pleasure of lifelong involvement with the game that I love – the clubs, the players and the fans far and wide. My collecting has been both very personal and interesting through this journey. I can’t speak highly enough of the care and professionalism of the Leonard Joel team in turning my collecting into a collection. I’m thrilled and honoured that my good friend, Paul Little, has so generously seen fit to keep my collection together for public display. This happening in my lifetime is amazing and humbling.”
Ron Barassi, John Albrecht (Managing Director, Leonard Joel), Rosemary Long (Manager, Ron Barassi) and Paul Little AO
Treasures from the Collection will be on view to the public
31 August 9am-8pm | 1-2 September 10am-4pm | 3 September 10am-5pm
Leonard Joel | 333 Malvern Road, South Yarra
For media and further information contact:
Katarina Ljahovic, Marketing & Communications Manager
03 8825 5620 | katarina.ljahovic@leonardjoel.com.au