No more Cikgu Ramli Gallery, want to sell all antiques
IPOH: Thousands of antique collections such as cameras, posters of the late Great Artists Tan Sri P Ramlee and Saloma, gramophones (black plate players), watches including Coca-Cola are here.
Ramli Abu Itam, 67, or affectionately known as Cikgu Ramli is currently in the process of selling all the antiques in his house to anyone who is interested.
This former teacher’s hobby and interest is collecting such high -value items not for a year or two, but since he was eight years old.
He has been an educator in several schools such as Teluk Intan Science Secondary School, Raja Permaisuri Bainun Ipoh Secondary School and St. Michael, Ipoh.
He held his last position as Assistant Director of Co -Curriculum (Arts) for the Human Development Sector at the Perak State Education Department (JPN) in 2010, before retiring six years later.
The house located at No 1, Hala Klebang Restu 9, Medan Klebang Restu, Chemor is loaded with interesting collections that he has collected over the past decades.
“Three times I went to England to get antiques there, the place was at The Junk Shop near Greenwich.
“There are many Malaysian goods, one of which I got was a stamp from our country,” he said.
Ramli admitted that it was time for him to sell his favorite collection due to his age and wanted to spend time with his family.
Despite his reluctance, he has made up his mind after discussing with his wife and children.
Ramli also appreciated the services and sacrifices of his wife, Zalilah Mohd Sulaiman who was the backbone by supporting his interests all this while.
“How much longer can I take care of these items? I’m worried over time when I’m no longer fit, chances are it will end up being sold or auctioned off regardless of aesthetic value.
“I have seen a lot of this, and even happened to my friends who are also lovers of antiques, when they die, this item disappears in the blink of an eye.
“My wife and children really love this collection but I understand that they don’t even know how to take care of it the same way I did all this time, we are satisfied with this decision,” she said.
Telling more about his decision, Ramli said he also gave the opportunity to any interested party to display his collection in a special space, for the public to see.
“Many have already booked to buy, but I still hope that there is a party like the government or the private sector who can place my collection like in a museum for the gaze of future generations. That I will give for free.
“If there is no sustenance to be exhibited, I welcome people who are interested to buy and take all the collections here,” she said.
Collections that still exist here include the 1894 world first edition of Coca-Cola, gramophones , multi-year-old phones, cameras, books and crockery.
source – Aida Aziz