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