Always Collectables

25/09/2025

Chuffed to acquire one of the rarest Golden Age Australian published Walt Disney comics today. I have had this comic on my wants list since the early 1980’s. Titled “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs by Walt Disney”, this comic was published by John Sands Pty Ltd c1938. It features Snow White comic strips that were printed singularly in the Australian Woman’s Mirror magazine prior to and during WW2.

This elusive comic measures 12 1/2 inches (31.5cm) wide and 9 1/2 inches (24cm) high and it is in fantastic condition considering it is almost 90 years old.

As a collector and certified valuer, I rank this comic equally with the much sought after Walt Disney comic “Donald Duck Finds Pirate Gold” published by Ayres & James in the early 1940’s, as the rarest of all the Australian Walt Disney reprint comics produced here. My assessment is that this is the only copy of this comic book in existance. Rarity 10/10 - true value Priceless.

15/05/2025

A very sad day. Robert was one of the founding committee members of the AFL Premiership Players Club when it was formed in 2000. I formed a great relationship with him in my role as the CEO of the AFL PPC. He was always available to support and attend our many functions and events. He will be sorely missed by all that had the privilege to have known him. Condolences to Robert’s family, his former team mates and friends.

Robert Walls

Career : 1967 – 1978
Debut : Round 2, 1967 vs Hawthorn, aged 16 years, 275 days
Games: 259 (218 at Carlton)
Goals: 444 (367 at Carlton)
Last Game : Round 5, 1978 vs South Melbourne, aged 27 years, 282 days
Guernsey No. 42 (1967 - 1978).
Premiership Player: 1968, 1970, 1972
Judged Best on Ground: 1972 Grand Final
Captain: 1977, 1978
Leading Goalkicker: 1975, 1976
Carlton Hall of Fame
Team of the Century
AFL Hall of Fame
Carlton Legend

Vale Wallsy (SB)

18/03/2025

Had a pleasant day today catching up with two Essendon Legends. Chauffeured John Birt to a catch up with his 1962 and 1965 Essendon premiership team mate Alec Epis.

I made Kooka’s day be re-uniting him with the actual guernsey he wore on Grand Final Day 1962 when the Bombers defeated the Blues to win the VFL Premiership.

21/06/2024

Fortunate to acquire some scarce 1970s to 1980’s horse racing books, including Melbourne Cups, Derby’s and Oaks. Most without writing or annotations, which is rare these days. Whilst the pre WW2 horse racebooks command exceptionally high prices these days, the 1960’s and 1970’s books are also becoming hard to find in top condition and prices are increasing. I will be listing some of these racebooks on my website for purchase shortly.

16/09/2023

VALE RONALD DALE BARASSI JNR AM

It is with deep sadness that a short time ago I was alerted to the passing of Australian Football Hall of Fame Legend Ronald Dale Barassi Jnr. AM. Ron died at the age of 87 years after a short illness.

Ron was a towering figure in Aussie Rules football and was the first player inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame as a Legend after 253 senior VFL games, including 204 for Melbourne and 49 for Carlton. Ron claimed 10 VFL premierships at Melbourne, Carlton and North Melbourne as a player and coach.

Ron was the club patron of the AFL Premiership Players Club since its formation in 2000. His contribution to Australian Rules football and to the Victorian community cannot be understated. Committee and club members will have fond memories of Ron’s friendliness, charisma and charm at the many functions the club has run over the years. He was a very generous supporter of the club.

I have been privileged to have known Ron personally for a number of years both in my role as the CEO of the AFL Premiership Players Club and also in the course my professional activities as a certified valuer in fine art, antiques and collectables (sporting memorabilia). From a personal perspective, although I have never barracked for any of the football clubs Ron has been involved with as a player and coach, I have always viewed him as the most iconic identity in the history of Australian Rules football. I will truly miss this great man’s friendship, support, generosity and amazing humility. Although Ron has now walked up the race for the final time, he will forever be fondly remembered by all that had the privilege of knowing him.

I would like to pass on my sincere condolences to Ron’s wife, Cheryl, and to his family and friends at this very sad time. Farewell great man.

09/08/2023

Privileged to be invited to the book launch this morning. The early 1970’s fierce rivalry between the Tigers and the Blues only seems like yesterday.

Congrats to my great friend Dan Eddy who once again has written a must read book on the rivalry that set these two great clubs apart from the rest of the competition for a decade.

01/08/2023

After all those years of hunting public and on-line auctions, garage sales and collectors fairs, I have finally acquired a near mint Gerry Gee doll (boxed). I had one of these treasured dolls as a young boy, only for my father to throw the doll out in my absence (would you believe because Gerry’s wig became unstuck 😡).

After 50+ years of yearning to replace Gerry, I might now have to forgive Dad for his error of judgement (for throwing Gerry out not for having me 😏). I might even consider pursuing a ventriloquist career now that Gerry has returned to the fold.

As a passionate collector, I can’t truly explain the joy I am feeling to finally acquire an item I have been relentlessly searching for over all these years. Happy Days.

05/01/2023

😃NEW ON THE BLOG: Are sport-related "Rookie Cards" worth the chase?

When I conceptualised writing an article on the emergence of the so called “rookie card” into the world of mainstream sport trading card collecting within Australia, I thought it would be a fairly simple process to clearly and simply define what a “rookie card” is. How wrong I was.

Read more about my investigation here:

When I conceptualized writing an article on the emergence of the so called “rookie card” into the world of mainstream sport trading card collecting within Australia, I thought it would be a fairly simple process to clearly and simply define what a “rookie card” is. How wrong I was.

23/08/2022

If your shelves are looking a bit empty, you must get to the Melbourne Card Fair next Sunday.

The fair will be held at Big Plans, 109 Munster Street North Melbourne. Opening hours are 10am to 3pm.

For more details contact Shane Penrose on 0438 800 054.

19/10/2021

I was fortunate to recently acquire some hard to find mini Walt Disney comics published in Australia by the Mobil Petroleum company in 1964. These elusive trade give away comics are hard to find these days in top condition. There were 24 comics issued in this series. A wonderful momento from my childhood. For those interested, I have listed a handful of these comics for sale on my website: www.alwayscollectables.com.au

23/07/2021

Unlicensed / Unofficial Trading Cards - the quandary of whether to collect or not collect

Some very rare football cards recently appeared on Ebay, which generated considerable interest among card collectors. The cards advertised were “homemade cards” under the name of Adidas Dragon Productions 1999, and featured single cards of Leigh Matthews Bob Skilton, Doug Wade, Wayne Richardso.....