Valuable: Douglas Stewart, from Melbourne’s Douglas Stewart Rare Books with a book about Ballarat, valued at $48,500.
YOU name it, and chances are you could have found it at the Ballarat Antique Fair at the weekend.
More than 100 stallholders had their unique and rare wares on display for the renowned event in its 43rd year at the Ballarat Badminton Stadium.
Organiser John Markworth said despite hot conditions inside the stadium the event was a success with more than 2000 people streaming through the doors on both Saturday and yesterday.
“It’s a bit of a shame that it’s so hot in here,” Mr Markworth said.
“But it hasn’t stopped everyone from enjoying what is the largest antique fair in Australia.”
While those inside hunted for a hidden treasure, most didn’t have the spare $48,000 in their pocket for one of Australia’s rarest books, which was on display.
The original book, titled The Eureka Stockade, was written by Raffaello Carboni and gives an eyewitness account of the Eureka rebellion.
The book’s owner, Douglas Stewart, said it’s the only published first-hand account of the momentous events which took place in Ballarat in 1854.
“This rare first edition is easily one the rarest books in Australia,” Mr Stewart said.
