THREE VOYAGES ROUND THE WORLD

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21867, 21 August 1936, Page 14

THREE VOYAGES ROUND THE WORLD

BIRTHDAY OF MR J. H. SEAGAR

Mr J. Henry Seagar, of Rossall street, who~ is well known to Christchurch people for his generous gift to the museum three years ago of a valuable collection of porcelain and antiques, celebrated his eighty-eighth birthday yesterday. Mr Seagar still enjoys fairly good health and-treasures his memories of three voyages round the world, during which he gathered the greater part of his fine collection of china.

The foundation of Mr Seagar’s collection was given to him by his grandfather, but he spent many years making additions to it. He came to New Zealand with his parents, Mr and Mrs Robert Seagar, in 1870, at the age of 20, but did not for some years settle down in any one profession or trade. He eventually became _ secretary to the Christchurch Building and Land Society, a position which he held for many years. , In his three voyages round the world he visited practically all the European countries, particularly France, which attracted much of his attention. His collection of porcelain and antiques, presented «,o the museum in February, 1933, included work representative of all the leading English makers, from the early Bow and Astburv potteries, and gives a continuous view of the best and most typical work of the leading English makers over 100 years. It also includes fine examples of work ,from several European sources and from the East.