INTERESTING SALE

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11653, 18 October 1923, Page 7

INTERESTING SALE

WORKS OF JAMES NAIRN. OILrS AND WATER-OODOTTRS. An interesting sale of oils and water colours took place in Wellington yesterday, when a number of works by the late James Naim were among those offered to a good attendance. Bidding was by no means brisk, except for one or two pictures. Some etchings and engravings, the output in the main of English artists, were also put up for sale, but did not bring their real value. The collection was that of Colonel Purdy, of Lower Hutt, who is shortly leaving New Zealand, and it was of particular interest as it included pictures by many of the best artists in the Dominion, as well as a fair selection from abroad. Almost without exception, the best canvases failed to reach the reserve placed on them. When the “Blaoksmith’s Shop” by Nairn was first submitted, the highest bid was 35 guineas. It was passed in. This was a splendid specimen of the work of this artist, and excited much admiration. On being offered later in the sale it fell to Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M., for the sum of £37. Bidding opened at 20 guineas. A study of an old man in oils only reached 8 guineas, and was passed in, as was also, at the same figure, a water colour view in the Botanical Gardens. A Porirua Harbour oil colour was disposed of for 7 guineas. It was the only other Nairn sold. A “Farmhouse, Silvensbream,’’ reached 8 guineas, his “Sunset” 10 fnineas, “Pukaratahi” (Upper Hutt) 1 guineas, and p hush fire scene, the latter decidedly impressionistic in vein, duly called forth 7 guineas. These pictures were all withdrawn. A pleasing little oil by the late Richmond Beetham was sold for 30 shillings. Woreley’a “Cathedral Peaks” (Manapouri) brought some 6 guineas, as did 1 also a Mediterranean garden water colour by Miss Stoddart. The same figure was obtained for an Aberdeenshire scape hy Peter Gillander. Five guineas was received for an interesting oil by Ballantyne ("Evening ©lvor Sheen”), the fortunate purchaser being Mr H. M. Gore. A river scene by Sydney M. Broad went for £3 ss. Fred Harcourt’s “Old Hulk,” a water colour (for which the owner had refused £35 quite recently), was withdrawn. A very fine canvas, “Lake Wanaka," hy E. Goldsmith, was disposed of at 18 guineas. Two particularly pleasing water colours hy Claude Hayes were offered, one failing to reach the reserve, the best bid being 16 guineas, while the other, “On the Lowlands,” realised 12 guineas. At first there were no offers for the marine subjects by Van der Velde, an old Dutch master, but eventually one was sold for £l. “The Mill,” by A. E. Bender, brought 355. The best prioe Obtained for F. McCracken’s contributions was £7 for a very charming water colour entitled “A Surrey Hill Top,” while £9 was the prioe offered for Nugent Welch’s one subject in the catalogue, a typical Wellington seascape. “Frog Street. Exeter,” by Eleanor Hughes, brought the same figure. A, characteristic little animal study 'in oil, “Cows Under Trees,” jiaiixted by Miss Scales, was sold for Bidding for a Turner drawing XB< n by 6in) was not spirited, though '£l4 was finally attained. Some particularly interesting Japanese prints sold from 85s to £2. The engravings and etchings, though almost all were disposed of, went for relatively small prices. Among the best prices were “River Scene” (Rest) £3 10s; “ Venioe” (O. Bacher) £3 10s; original etching by Joseph Pennell £3; original lithograph by J. McNeill Whistler, £2 ss; a lithograph by Frank Braagwyn, £2 15s; “The Old Farm” by Brangwyn, £3; etching by W. Liebl, £2. Two woodcuts by Frank Brangwyn were also eagerly sought after, one realising £2 l(k (in two colours) 1 , and the other, very characteristic of the best work of the English artist, 37s 6d. Many etchings went for as little as £l, and it was the same with a number of the mezzo tints and engravings.