A 1950s deep-sea diver’s helmet was just one treasure discovered at the Ballarat Spring Antique Fair at the weekend.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Thousands flocked to the Ballarat Exhibition Centre for the fair, now in its second year.
One of the 45 dealers in attendance, Craig Oliver, showed off his impressive wares, including an early deep-sea diver’s helmet and accompanying “foot pedal” breathing device.
“It’s hard to imagine what would have happened if the bloke operating the pump got a cramp,” Mr Oliver said with a laugh.
Other dealers at the fair showed off antique furniture, clothes, jewellery, guns and taxidermy.
A rare trunk belonging to a passenger from a late 1800s ship was another treasure, along with more unusual pieces, including an elephant’s foot, complete with toe nails, fashioned into a taxidermy stool.
