The Walter Jobson Collection on its way to Melbourne – The Next Chapter Begins

After an incredible week undertaking the major task of retrieving the Walter Jobson Collection from Mullumbimby, NSW, the Burns & Co team is now making its way back to Melbourne.

For 94-year-old Walter Jobson, watching a lifetime’s collection leave his property was always going to be emotional. Yet after spending several days alongside the Burns & Co team, it wasn’t the trucks or the logistics that stood out most to him – it was the care with which every item was handled.

“Things that I would have just chucked in the back of my trailer when I went to Bendigo Swap or went to other swap meets over the years… they just took so much care with things. They packed everything so carefully.”

Walter was particularly impressed watching the team wrap and protect every piece before beginning the 1,700-kilometre journey back to Bayswater.

That care extended to the library lamps – the very first things he and his late wife collected together back in the 1970s, before the collection grew into the extraordinary collection it is today.

Before the trucks departed, Walter made a point of personally thanking every member of the retrieval team.

“I’m impressed with the whole business. I shook the hands of every one of them. What more can I say? It’s just a good organisation, I reckon you’re working for.”

Walter’s daughter Sue was equally complimentary, describing the retrieval as:

“It couldn’t have gone better.”

She added that:

“Ashley did everything that he said he was going to do.”

Walter also reflected on how respectfully the team conducted themselves throughout the retrieval.

Walter explained that his sleep pattern changes from day to day, meaning he never knows whether he’ll wake at 6.00am or 10.00am. Despite the team beginning work early each morning, he was genuinely surprised by how quietly they went about their work.

“I never know what time I’m getting up in the morning… but they were in the house and I didn’t hear a thing. They were so quiet. They went out of their way to help an old guy like me and I quite enjoyed the whole experience.”

With the collection now safely returning to Melbourne, the next chapter begins.

Over the coming weeks, every sign, globe, petrol pump, oil bottle, telephone, motorcycle, toy and piece of automobilia will be individually unpacked, researched, photographed and catalogued before being presented to collectors across Australia.

We’ll be sharing regular behind-the-scenes updates as the cataloguing progresses and revealing some of the remarkable pieces that make up this extraordinary 60-year collection.

Watch the video below of Ashley’s visit with Walter prior to the collection retrieval this week, where together, they walked through the incredible collection of petrol & oil memorabilia, enamel signs, petrol pumps, globes, motorcycles, vintage toys and automobilia, with Walter sharing the stories behind many of his treasured pieces.

Now, Walter has entrusted Burns & Co with the honour of presenting his remarkable lifetime collection to the market.

Watch this space. The journey is only just beginning.

The “Walter Jobson Collection”
Auction date to be announced soon.