Absolutely Positively Wellington Wed, 11 Jun 2003

The past twelve months has seen us favoured with some exceptionally rare offerings - early pictures of Wellington. Most notable would have to be Charles Decimus Barraud's 'View of Wellington' which was sold for a record $222,500 at our March 2003 auction.

This important painting, dated 1851 was possibly his earliest major work, proceeding the commission of Te Puni's Baptism (Rex Nan Kivell Collection, National Library of Australia) by two years. It is thought to be the earliest known oil painting of Wellington.

When painted, the colonists had done little to change the view which originally greeted them in 1840. There were only two roads at the time and a population of around 5000. None of the buildings portrayed in the painting remain today.

Three decades later, in 1888, itinerant watercolourist Christopher Aubrey captured Wellington on a majestic scale in a watercolour titled 'Wellington from Brooklyn'. It was offered at our July 2003 auction, selling for $83,400, setting a new record for Aubrey, and a record price for a watercolour of Wellington.

The work was considerably larger and a year earlier than 'Te Aro and Wellington Harbour, with Australian Squadron at Anchor', a well known documented watercolour by Aubrey held in the collection of Alexander Turnbull Library.

November 2002 saw a smaller watercolour by Aubrey, 'Wellington from Kelburn,' (Pictured) fetch $44,500. It had been held in a private family collection in Christchurch for over 100 years. Another, titled Upper Hutt Railway Station was sold post auction.

Our July 31 sale sees further historic works of Wellington for sale under the hammer. Captain Matthew Thomas Clayton's Historical Arrival of Pioneer Ships in Port Nicholson, March 8, 1840, completed in 1899, (pictured) William George Baker?s oil Near Wellington painted from the Ngaio Gorge, and a small John Thirtle watercolour Port of Thorndon.

Aucklanders are also in for a treat - International Art Centre's July 31 catalogue includes one of the best offerings of early Auckland paintings to be seen on the market. From Ernest William Drake's Waitemata Harbour to Thomas Warner's Panorama of Auckland collectors are assured of quality and variety in every price range.

NB. Above results include buyers premium 11.25%