Bob Hawke’s personal items sell at auction for record prices

Hundreds of people turned out for an auction of former prime minister Bob Hawke’s belongings with several items going for record prices including his ‘Hawke’s Lager’ esky selling for $5000 and two silver meat dishes adorned with frogs for $22,000.

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It was a garage sale for history buffs and political junkies — with a chance to own an item that once belonged to arguably our most-­beloved former prime minister.

Hundreds of bidders and curious attendees piled into Paddington RSL last night in the hope of snaring at least one of Bob Hawke’s former possessions, from golf clubs to cigar boxes.

The “Bob Hawke and Blanche d’Alpuget mementos curiosities and design” auction had a wide variety of Mr Hawke’s belongings up for grabs — all for top dollar.

Worth every dollar .. the Hawke’s Larger esky went for $5000.

The loveable larrikin pours himself ... Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty

One of the most popular items at the auction was a Hugh Sawrey painting titled The Drovers Wife. The artwork hung in Mr Hawke’s office and was sold to an anonymous bidder for $23,000.

Bob Hawke’s favourite gear up for grabs

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Another highly anticipated lot was a silver bowl given to the late prime minister by US vice-president Dick Cheney at the end of the Gulf War. The bowl was estimated to sell for between $500 and $700 but the winning bid was $6500.

Hundreds of people turned up to the auction at the Paddington RSL/

One of the most surprising items was a pair of Victorian silver meat dishes, estimated to be sold between $1000 and $1500. Bidding on the plates, with frogs dangling off the side, quickly went north of $10,000 with the winner ­ claiming the item for $22,000.

“That is about $5500 per frog,” auctioneer Andrew Shapiro joked.

An esky with the late PM’s face and six-pack of Hawke’s Lager sold for $5000 to a private bidder.