The estate of John Laws will go under the hammer next month with 600 lots on offer from the talkback legend’s extensive collection of fine art, watches, rare books and luxury collectibles.
Laws died aged 90 in November, a year after hanging up his golden microphone for the last time. Laws was Australia’s most successful broadcaster and spent his considerable income on luxury goods including prestige motorcars.
His watches collection makes up the largest single-owner collection of prestige watches ever to come to market in Australia.
The collection includes a yellow gold Patek Philippe Nautilus bracelet watch estimated to be worth up to $250,000.
Laws travelled the world with his wife, Caroline, amassing a huge collection of expensive goods. Caroline, widely known by her nickname, The Princess, died in 2020.
Laws’ immense wealth and love of the good things in life was acknowledged at his state funeral by the Rev Michael Jensen.
“It’s a long way from Woolloomooloo to Walgett. But John spoke Walgett fluently.”
Laws began his career in regional Victoria as an 18-year-old and grew to inspire a huge and devoted audience, but also condemnation for his role in the “cash-for-comment” scandal and other controversies.
Known as the “Golden Tonsils” for his mellifluous baritone and seven decade-long career, Laws flaunted not only a golden microphone and vintage cars, but loved to wear gold jewellery and flashy sunglasses.
A pair of Gucci slippers ($800) forms part of the “definitive gentleman’s collection” of Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel, Christian Dior, Bottega Veneta, Salvatore Ferragamo, Valentino and Giorgio Armani items he amassed over five decades.
Bonhams Australia will present The John Laws CBE Collection over five auctions: two live auctions and three online.
Also for sale among the more than 1,000 items will be first-edition books and leather-bound periodicals, including the first edition of Richard Bowdler Sharpe’s Monograph of the Paradiseidae with hand-coloured plates, estimated at up to $15,000.
Pens by Cartier, Montblanc, Waterman, Omas and Namiki, in 18ct gold and sterling silver and desktop accessories from Bulgari, Tiffany & Co. and Ilias Lalaounis will also be on sale.
The managing director of Bonhams Australia, Merryn Schriever, said she was committed to preserving and celebrating the Laws legacy.
“This appointment reflects Bonhams’ long-standing relationship with John Laws CBE, together with our internationally recognised expertise in handling important estates and culturally significant collections with discretion, integrity and care,” she said.