Sundorne estate in Bellevue Hill up for sale

BOASTING a tennis court, swimming pool and panoramic views of the harbour, one of Sydney's grand mansions is going under the hammer.

Sundorne

BOASTING a tennis court, servants' quarters, a swimming pool and panoramic views of the harbour, one of Sydney's grand mansions will go under the hammer later this month.

And in June, fans of mid-century decor, art and retro European fashion labels can snap up a piece of vintage history when more than 300 items from inside the luxury home go up for sale.

The 2555sq m Sundorne estate in Bellevue Hill is expected to sell for about $11 million when it goes to auction on May 22.

The grand 1920s mansion belonged to transportation magnate Sir Peter Abeles and was home to his first wife Claire Dan until she died last October.

Resembling a set from the 1960s-styled series Mad Men, there are ashtrays on every table, wood-panelled walls and classic haute couture outfits hanging in several dressing rooms. And for the right price, it is all up for grabs.

"There will actually be several items for sale from $50 to $5000," auctioneer Andrew Shapiro, who will handle the sale of the items on June 23, said.

Other pieces include vintage playing cards, a Steinway concert grand piano, one of the largest private collections of work by celebrated Australian artist Judy Cassab and a designer wardrobe including a real leopard-skin raincoat with matching hat valued at $20,000.

Clothing by designers Chloe, Chanel, Ferragamo and Dior will also be available. Mr Shapiro said a collection of such notable pieces was rare.

"These estate auctions are fabulous because you really get a sense of who the person was. It's like going on an archeological dig," he said.

If the property - which Sir Peter bought in 1958 for himself and his first wife - achieves the expected $11 million price tag, it will be the highest auction sale price since La Manoir, a similar-sized estate just a few doors away sold under the hammer for $23 million to Sarah and Lachlan Murdoch in 2009.

Sir Peter died in 1999 and the Vaucluse house he lived in with his second wife Lady Kitty was sold in 2001 for $12 million.