Season's Greetings

Geffrye Museum London 1930s room, decorated for the season

All the best for the Christmas holidays. Thank you to all those who contacted me this year, I very much appreciate your business. I will be around for most of the time so drop me an email if you need something valued.

Miniature Bronte Book Sells For 690,000 Pounds

This tiny book, handwritten by the teenage Charlotte Bronte (and sister) has sold in London to a French manuscript Museum.  The Bronte Parsonage who has the rest of the set, closely missed out.  It is an early untraced  book with strands of stories yet unwritten. Guardian article here.

Gormley Marquette Sells For Three Times Antiques Roadshow Valuation

Recently on the British Antiques Roadshow, Philip Mould made history by giving the highest valuation for anything on the show.  An Antony Gormley marquette of the Angel of the North was valued by him for a record 1 million pounds.  Just a few months ago a similar (or maybe the same one as it is an edition of 5) sold at Christie's in London for 3.4 million pounds. 

Amy Winehouse Dress Sells To Chilean Museum

The chiffon dress worn on the cover of Back to Black above was auctioned by Kerry Taylor in London last week.  It sold for 43,200 pounds including BP.  The Disaya designed dress sold to a Chilean museum, with proceeds going to the Amy Winehouse foundation.  Other star lots from the auction was Lady Di's back up wedding dress which sold for 48,000 pounds to possibly the same museum.  Read article here.

Astrolabe With NZ History Up For Auction in London

An astrolabe dating from 1396 bought out from England in the 1860s, has been sent to London for auction.  The piece has been in Australia since the family in NZ died out and ended up in a 'bag of old pipe fittings'.  Learning the significance of it through the internet and then Queensland Museum, it is up for auction next month at Bonhams for between $300,000 and $400,000 NZ.  Article from Science Media Centre here.

Jean Batten Trophy 'Misplaced Not Lost' Says Motat

A sterling silver trophy awarded to Jean Batten in the 1930s is not where it should be in Motat's collections.  It was due to go on display but was found to be missing during preparations.  Read NZ Herald article here.

Russell Clark Sculpture Broken in Opononi

The famous sculpture of Opo the dolphin with a boy swimmer has been beheaded.  It is unknown whether this was an accident or an act of purposeful vandalism.  It has happened before, about 20 years ago.  The town's handyman has been given the fragments which were found nearby.  North Advocate article here.

Unopened Parcel From the 40s Returned to Sender

An unopened parcel from Ballantynes sent to a customer in 1948 was returned to the department store by a Wanaka recycling centre.  Story from Timaru Herald here.

I Am In Christchurch For the Next Few Weeks

I will be in Christchurch until the 26th of October for the school holidays. If you have emailed or phoned me I will contact you on my return. Thanks.

Auction Postscript

Some of the 'estimate busters' from this month's Auckland sales...

Art + Object Ross Morrison Collection on the 6th of September featured many outstanding prices


Borge Mogensen sideboard sold for $6,800 (est $1600-2400)

Borge Mogensen Sleigh Chairs $4,700 (est $1800-3000)



Ernst Plischke Pendant lights from St Martin's Christchurch $3,900 (est $1000-2000)

Webb's Oceanic Sale, September 8th. 

Rare Hei Tiki Pounamu $5,900, Superb Northwest Coast Club $9,380 (est $8,000-10,000), Dogon Statue $9,380 (est $8,000-10,000) Prestigious Mere Pounamu - In the Name of Tinirau $51,590  (est $30,000-40,000)

Cordy's Sale September


Kiwi sold for $2900 (est $2000)



A pair of Italian Renaissance influenced armchairs $1450 (est $750)

Wills, Heirlooms And Valuations...

Featured in this month's Next Magazine, I speak to Susanna Stuart the Finance Editor about Wills and heirlooms. 

NZ Fashion Museum 'Black In Fashion' Exhibition Now On

Karen Walker's Broken Pearls from She's Cracked A/W 09/10

As part of Real NZ the New Zealand Fashion Museum have put together a pop-up exhibition exploring how wearing black has become a part of our national identity.  It covers both the black sports jumpers and our love for the colour in our everyday clothes.  It runs from 9th Sept - 24th October at Britomart (Cnr Galway and Gore Streets). For more information click here.

Cordy's September Antiques Catalogue Out Now

Cordy's catalogue is available to view online on their website.  The kiwi is lot 104 estimated at $2,000.

'Cook's' Waistcoat Up For Auction Tonight

The waistcoat that may have been worn by Captain James Cook is up for auction tonight at Webb's.  See this and all the other Tribal pieces at http://www.webbs.co.nz/

Ross Morrison Collection Up For Auction Tonight

Art + Object sell the Ross Morrison Collection tonight at 6.30pm.  The collection "is an event that celebrates the intersection of design, manufacture and a near auteur level of creative interpretation" (catalogue introduction).   

Look at the catalogue online here.  You can even watch the auction live online tonight at liveauctioneers.com

Remodelled Auckland Art Gallery Opens Today

Head down to the gallery today with the throng.  Entry is free and it will be open until 10pm today and the following Saturday. In addition they are holding late nights until 7pm every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday throughout September.

Use Your Vintage Cutlery!

Grant Allen from Sunday Star Times 28th Aug 2011

'Cook's' Waistcoat Up For Auction in Auckland

An 18th Century waistcoat possibly worn by Captain James Cook is up for auction at Webb's this month.  With a long established provenance the beautifully embroidered piece has been in private hands since purchased from Dr Ruby Rich of Sydney's family in 1985.  There was a buzz in Australia when it made the news after the owners went public after seeing similar items being sold overseas.  It was then appraised by a dealer and sent to The Powerhouse Museum.  In a Youtube clip  from a few months ago (link via Webb's catalogue entry here) they report that the value is thought to be millions of dollars.  Webb's has said "The response has been extremely positive and it's expected to reach a high six-figure number because that's the nature of the piece".  It is unclear why it is now being sold in New Zealand when the relatives wanted it to stay in Australian hands.  Viewing for the Tribal Sale starts on Friday.  The sale takes place on 8th Sept at 6pm.

Ex-Staff Member Arrested Over Theft of War Medals From Museum

In a saddening abuse of trust, a staff member alledgedly stole over 800 medals from a collection he was paid to protect.  Article from the NZ Herald here. If you want to contact the museum to see if your donation is still safe, the link is here.  http://www.armymuseum.co.nz/medals/medal-enquiry.html

Auction Postscript For August 2011

Here are the best sellers from the Auckland salerooms this month:

Webb's Sale 327: On Thursday 11th August.

Lot 300 A group of family medals including a Distinguished Flying Cross from WWI. Estimated $6,000 - $10,000. Sold for $12,000 incl. BP & gst. Lot 479 A Chinese silver Export Tea Set with Dragon Design, possibly 19th Century. Estimated $2,500 - $3,500. Sold for $10,000 incl BP & gst.

Lot 350 A Pair of Wharetana Moko Bookends by Crown Lynn. Est. $2,000 - $2,800. Sold for $5,000 incl. BP & gst.

Cordy's Sale: On Tuesday 16th August.

Lot 124 An Art Deco Ivory Figure by Ludwig Walther. Est $850 Sold for $1,650.

Lot 663 A Louis Vuitton Travelling Trunk. Est $4,500. Sold for $4,750.

For The Girls - Vintage Textile Fair This Weekend

Be Careful What You Buy On That Cruise

Art being sold on cruise ships can be incredibly overpriced. Make sure you do your research before you spend that $20,000.

Image: Jason Hall spent almost $20,000 on this "new Picasso" to find it was worth a fraction of that. Article from The Age here.

Highest Valuation On US Roadshow

The highest valuation in its history has been given for this group of rhino libation cups on the American Antiques Roadshow. Dating from the late 17th or early 18th century they have been appraised at between $1 million and $1.5 million US dollars. The owner collected them in the 1970s and was unaware of their amazing increase in value.

17th Century Statue Looted During Blitz Spotted In Auction House

In a story fit for 'Fake or Fortune' this statue was returned 70 years after its theft. Guardian story here.

Fake Or Fortune On Prime

I would recommend this programme if you happen to be at home on Friday night. Fiona Bruce and Philip Mould become detectives - researching the history and discovering the background to artworks which have questions hanging over them. Clearly illustrative of the artworld, not all of the stories have happy endings.

300 Year Old Bell Found At Scrap Yard

The 150kg bell was stolen from St Bride's Anglican Church in Otorohanga but has been located at a scrap yard in Auckland. It apparently was sent from a scrap dealer in Hamilton who paid $435 for it based on its copper content. It makes you wonder what is going through these yards.

Silver Factory From 1881 Restored

J.W. Evans Silver Factory has been restored by English Heritage. Established in 1881 it represents one of the manufacturers in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter. Take the tour here or watch how the silver is produced. It certainly makes that little anchor assay mark come to life.

Michael's Thriller Jacket Up For Auction

Update: The jacket realises 1.8 million - a much more realistic price for one of the most famous jackets in pop that marked the start of Jackson's signature look.

Estimated at around $400,000 US. What will it fetch? LA Times article here.

Gaga Gives Guccis to Christchurch

Lady Gaga's autographed Gucci snakeskins are for sale on sella to raise funds for the Rise Up Christchurch appeal. Currently at $2,520 it seems like a pretty good investment for a piece of Rock / Pop memorabilia. (The shoes realise $4,300 NZ)

Ten Most Famous Damaged Artworks

A list of the most famous works forever damaged by suffragettes, acid sprayers and drunkards (from the ArtDaily crew).

Celebration!

(image: Actually for the 1977 Silver Jubilee celebration in Cornwall here)

Jane Birkin's Original Birkin Bag Sells For Japan

This is the original Birkin Bag designed in 1984 by the President of Hermes Jean-Louis Dumas, inspired by and then subsequently given to Ms Birkin. These bags have a waiting list to buy. This actually is an icon of fashion and it sold for an amazing GDP 100,100 pounds on Ebay with all proceeds to Japan.

Happy Easter

Have a safe and happy Easter break.

To make these vintage style decorations and more see Better Homes and Gardens here.

The Death Of The Old Curiosity Shop

The Waikato Times explores the death of the antique shop in this article. Trademe and the recession have closed many an antique shop door and this is a world-wide trend. Personally, I think nothing beats being able to see the items in the flesh before you buy and you don't have to pay for postage!

170 Year Old Glasses Oldest In Use In New Zealand

Specsavers have announced the winner of their competition to find the oldest pair of glasses still in use in New Zealand. Charles Cadwallader's 170 year old pair took the title. Originally belonging to his great-great-grandfather Charles still uses them to sit down with a good book. Stuff article here.

Binney Sells For $270,000

Dick Scott's beautiful Binney sold for $270,000 (over $300,000 incl. buyers premium) at Webb's this week. This may be a new record price for Binney at auction - and the very generous vendor is donating all his proceeds to Christchurch.

Some Portobello Stock Rescued

Deric Blackler has managed to get into his shop to retrieve some items, including his goldfish, with the help of the USAR team. Timaru Herald article here.

Fight for an Important Collection in Christchurch

Portobello Antiques owner Deric Blackler is fighting for his stock before his shop is demolished which is within the cordoned area of earthquake damaged Christchurch. It would be an unbelievable waste for him not to have a chance to get some pieces out. Join his fight on his blog here.