Why so many bikies without jackets? Why so many gramophones without records?
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The Canberra Times reported on a police auction on this day 44 years ago which held the answer to these curious questions.
One-hundred-and-forty leather jackets and 100 new records were among unclaimed goods auctioned at the police security yard at Fyshwick, the Times front page reported.
A police officer at the auction said the goods were found in the possession of a thief with a penchant for leather jackets.
The thief stole records and traded them for jackets.
Some jackets were labelled with the names of their former owners, others had emblems of bikie groups.
Some had chains attached, some had studded collars, some were fleece-lined and some were sleeveless.
Among other auctioned items, were garden gnomes, records, wedding rings, golf balls, wristwatches, bicycles, a coin collection, car parts, clothing and a beach towel.
More than 200 people attended the auction. The photograph accompanying the article showed Robert McIntyre, of Giralang, dressing his son, Robert, 5, in one of the 140 unclaimed, studded, leather jackets.
Meanwhile, aptly placed, was an advertisement promoting a menswear sale, with prices ranging $6.99 for a business shirt, to $80 for a leather jacket.
