Loved and hated, probably in equal measure, the late former prime minister, Dom Mintoff, left his mark on Maltese history.
Malta’s longest serving MP and an avid lover of horses and sports, Mr Mintoff was also known for his fiery temper and outbursts of anger.
Now, two years after his death, those interested in owning something that belonged to “Dom” or “il-Perit”, as he was also known, can take their pick from 762 items that will be put under the hammer next month.
The auction, being handled by Belgravia Auction Gallery, will sell some of Mr Mintoff’s possessions, ranging from paintings, china, silver, jewellery and books, to a trademark leather belt with a sizeable buckle with horse and horseshoe motifs and 60 of his walking sticks.
Auctioneer Joseph Sammut has carried out the intensive task of going through the items with Mr Mintoff’s daughters and putting together a catalogue.
The items are a wide assortment of extremely personal items, such as a gold signet ring with a diamond and the engraved initials DM, a well-worn briefcase also with the initials of il-Perit, ornamental daggers, coins, medals and terracotta mugs.
His wallet and spectacles, including the classic horn-rimmed pair he had worn for many years are also on offer to collectors.
Several architects’ tools and equipment will also be auctioned.
Mr Sammut noted that many walking sticks were probably gifts and, in fact, were unused.
There are many items from the Orient, including a beautiful silky jade bowl, a Chinese hand-carved ivory ornament with intricate rotating concentric balls, a black and white water colour scroll with two horses and a carved dragon.
Mr Sammut pointed out that a number of items have calling cards: a china trinket in a red box with the word “Romania” embossed on the outside included a card from the late Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu and his wife Elena.
Another interesting item is a porcelain vase that was given to Mr Mintoff by former Italian prime minister Bettino Craxi, and an Omega gold-plated wristwatch, 18 carat gold cufflinks and signet ring, all with green jadeite, were from Zaid Ben Sultan Alnahyan, former President of the United Arab Emirates.
The prices of the items start from €15 and go up to an estimated starting price of €7,500 for a Maltese chest of drawers dating back to 1800s. An expensive item is a silver gilt tureen dating back to 1778 from St Petersburg, Russia, with an ornate carving on the cover, with a price tag of €6,500.
Last December, an item belonging to Mr Mintoff went under the hammer, albeit unsuccessfully at first. A grey 1962 Mercedes Benz 190D saloon – used by Mr Mintoff – failed to be sold when it was placed for sale by its restorer. However, when the item hit the news, Adrian Vella, a doctor by profession, contacted the auctioneer to buy it for the starting price of €20,000.
Mr Mintoff, who passed away in August 2012, was prime minister from 1955 to 1958, when Malta was still a British colony.
His second stint in power was from 1971 until 1984 but he served in Parliament until 1998, when he brought down the Labour government led by Alfred Sant.
The items can be viewed at Mr Mintoff’s residence at The Olives, Triq ix Xintill, Tarxien tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday between 9am and 5pm. The auction will take place over four days at Belgravia Auction Gallery in St Julian’s between March 5 and 8.
For more information visit www.belgraviaauctions.com.
Some of the items up for sale:
• North African walnut cigarette box with bone and mother of pearl geometric inlay.
• Pen and ink political cartoon of Mr Mintoff ‘selling’ Malta off to the Allies, signed and framed by JAK – a renowned British cartoonist for the Evening Telegraph, Raymond Jackson – called “Agreed Then”, August 19, 1971.
• Chinese silk embroidery in oval frame inlaid with mother of pearl.
• Holster pistol, approximately 19th century.
• Industrial steelyard complete with bronze weights – 2.6 metres high mid-19 century.
• Riding saddle, with embroidery, silver thread braid and bands, complete, including whip and wooden stand.
• Flaming torch lapel pin.
• Steamer trunk with leather corners and the initials DM.
• Set of six books on horses.
• Walking stick with snake skin (peeling).