Almost 300 items from the great Australian diva’s estate for sale in first ever auction.

The original opera diva, Dame Nellie Melba, was the most famous woman in the world at the peak of her career in the early 1900s. With her face immortalised on the $100 note, Melba, who died in 1931, is a national Australian treasure. Now, 84 years after her death, the legendary lyric soprano’s own treasures are about to go under the hammer.

Sotheby’s Australia are holding the first ever auction of Melba’s possessions at its Melbourne auction house this evening, appropriately near the opera superstars home, Coombe Cottage near Lilydale. 299 items belonging to Melba have been transported from the Melbourne Bank vault where they have been stored for more than 50 years, to be prepared for the sale. Until now the collection of items belonged to Melba’s sole surviving grandchild, who passed away last year. Since all Melba’s remaining living relatives now live overseas the family decided the time was right to release the many stunning curiosities, accessories, artworks and personal items for sale. Lots range from estimated prices of just a few hundred dollars up to in excess of $50,000.

Items up for...