Thousands crowd Brisbane auction room to bid for 'fake prince' Joel Morehu-Barlow's luxury possessions
A CHANEL wristwatch has sold for more than double the estimated sale price as thousands pack out the auction of alleged fraudster's luxury possessions.
News
Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
BENTLEY wristwatches, a Louis Vuitton fountain pen, a Cartier lighter, and Tiffany and Co necklaces were among the first items to go under the hammer at the auction of alleged Queensland Health fraudster Joel Morehu-Barlow's luxury possessions.
A Chanel black wristwatch with diamond numerals, which had an estimated sale price of $3,000 to $5,000, fetched $10,000, while a Bvlgari diamond ring in 18ct white gold with gilt overlay went for $4,900.
To the surprise of some prospective buyers, a pair of imitation diamond earrings in 14ct white gold fetched $500.
One of the lowest bids so far was $80 for two pieces of Perspex jewellery by Paula Kylie Walden.
Despite stuffy conditions, the auction at Antique and Fineart Auctions at Woolloongabba has attracted hundreds of people, with dozens left to wait on the pavement outside the packed auction house.
"It will be the biggest auction we have ever conducted," auction house spokesman John D'Agata said on Saturday.
"I expected a lot of interest, but I never realised how much interest there would be."
Mr D'Agata said apart from more than 3000 people who had registered to bid on the floor, by late Saturday another 1400 people had signed up to bid online and another 1000 had left absentee bids.
Estimates on Sunday put the number at 2000 people in the auction room and another 500 outside.
He said about 2000 people a day had visited Antique and Fineart Auctions at Woolloongabba since Thursday to inspect 810 items, worth millions of dollars, that would be auctioned for the Public Trustee.
They are the contents of two of the fake Tahitian prince's New Farm apartments and include designer clothing, shoes, furniture, decorator items, art, books, sporting goods and collectables.
Mr D'Agata said the luxury designer clothing and handbags, including many Louis Vuitton pieces, Italian outdoor furniture, a life-size horse lamp and Hermes saddle, were among the most popular.
He predicted there also would be heavy bidding for the Cannondale racing bicycle and Gibson guitar.
Today's auction will run from 9am until about 7pm.
Morehu-Barlow is set to plead and be sentenced on March 19 in the District Court for defrauding the State Government of $16 million.