MARCH - APRIL 2013
EDITION 108
trader A u s t r a l a s i a ’s l e a d i n g a n t i q u e s a n d c o l l e c t a b l e s m a g a z i n e SNEAKERS A fashion statement turned highly prized collectable
CHEMISTRY AND COLLECTING: BEING SAFE Identifying potentially hazardous substances in old objects and materials
THE ENGINE COLLECTOR’S GUIDE TO HISTORIC ENGINE & STEAM MACHINERY Rallies to visit, associations to join
WHEN IN LONDON A shortcut guide for collectors: From high end chic to steampunk treasures
CONTENTS FEATURE ARTICLES
SPECIAL INTEREST FEATURES
10
60
Early water filters
INVESTMENT AND COLLECTING
An Australian interpretation
In the collection
50
Lila Rait
of the
national collection
National Museum
Sydney Harbour Bridge
of Australian Pottery
mementos are a
Geoff Ford OAM
significant investment
Dolls’ houses & furniture
Modest medallions for the
Peter Lane
36
Engine & steam rallies The many clubs and popular regular rallies reveal an enormous interest in historic machines Paula Towers
16
82
The art of silversmithing
Bicentennial of Australia’s first coins
Two artisans keeping history intact
How Governor Macquarie
24
The golden age of make-up boxes
re-purposed Spanish coins into
The first half of the 20th century saw the emergence of this exquisite new art form Amanda Stücklin
FOCUS ON THE MIDDLE EAST 54
The legacy of Herod Recent archeological finds shed light on
our first domestic currency
KNOWLEDGE BASE 74
The Aesthetic Movement in Britain
this infamous ruler’s reign
REGULAR FEATURES
30
Surprisingly affordable silver to collect Melody Amsel-Arieli
40
66
78
Snapshots of history from an
Chemistry and collecting:
Armenian perspective
being safe
Old photos reveal the life and times of
Dr Geoff Crawford
communities past
Sneakers – a fashion statement
Melody Amsel-Arieli
turned collectable Rob Ditessa
DESTINATIONS 6
When in London From chic to shabby, where to find the best collectables in London Roy Williams
47 49 84 86 87 88 94 96
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3
SNEAKERS the story of an iconic global commodity
What started out as a casual sports shoe has become a highly prized icon and fashion statement
Rob Ditessa Top: Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Kanga Leather, c. 1940. Image courtesy Artisan Gallery, Brisbane Kirsten Fitzpatrick says, ‘The shoes in the Reboot exhibition are primarily recent collaborations and rare, limited edition and over-the-top sneakers. There is a small selection of historical shoes from Converse, which includes a pair of 1940s Chuck Taylor All Star, made from Kangaroo leather. They are surprisingly weighty compared to new athletic shoes.’ Above: Nike Air Jordan 1. Image courtesy Simon Wood Popularised by their namesake Michael Jordan, the outstanding basketball player, the Air Jordan 1 remains as collectable as ever. It was released in 1985 and gained a certain notoriety when Jordan broke the rules about colours of shoes for playing on the court but continued to play – and win – in his Nikes
V
isiting an exhibition is an opportunity to access collections, acquire knowledge and perhaps become inspired to collect. This
enthusiasm is not limited to visitors as Kirsten Fitzpatrick, curator of an exhibition dedicated to sneakers discovered. She soon became inspired with a sneaker collector’s enthusiasm. Early one morning Fitzpatrick found herself at 7 am outside a sneaker store contemplating queuing for one of the only 18 pairs of Nike Air Yeezy II that were about to be released locally. There were already about 60 people waiting. Some had spent the night on the street so as not to miss out. Fitzpatrick did not persist, but reflects that one can become easily seduced by the object and culture, and so begins a collection. Left: Nike Air Yeezy II. Image courtesy Artisan Gallery, Brisbane Kirsten Fitzpatrick says, ‘The Nike Kanye West Yeezy IIs are highly sought after, limited edition new releases, and indicative of the creative potential in iconic brand and celebrity collaborations.’
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More to read
traditional collectable; learn how best to start a collection. There are tips on
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Collecting Insights
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Memorabilia
e g in th mithin s r e v il of s the art
F O P O H WORKSANDERS WJ S
COLL investigating antiques, EC AND P TABLES OISON S
s artisan ng two Profili lp keep lents he ta se who intact history
With a num ber of old ob jects hazard and m ous su ateria bstanc ls hous es, Geo ing po know tentia ff Cra ledge lly wford of chem has fo istry shares und hi unusua his w s lly be ealth nefici of know al and ledge with re aders
nd es of ha techniqu oussé, he three tal – rep ing me – are decorat graving en d an have chasing ds which al metho for the tradition Sanders at W J ess. ployed in busin been em s been in ha it iqu hn e 0 years rking tec over 10 metalwo ented or sé is a is ornam Repous side. le metal reverse malleab a the ich on wh ering ng, is the by hamm embossi shaped own as tal is kn me o the als , work on Chasing oussé; hniques e to rep e two tec opposit tside. Th a m the ou to create n done fro tio nc by W J in conju is used are used bossing a’s most piece. Em Australi finished some of to create ies. Sanders e troph of iqu un aspect l and portant im beautifu ic er d histor g is anoth rtant an Engravin ny impo sightly ess. Ma d by un sin se bu ali nd the been va us ve vio ha pre of trophies records k of g while to the lac engravin ed due ving. have fad r engra winners compute ence of perman
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iconic sydney harbour bridge mementos
ing the engrav Ireland Cherie
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er rling silv ing a ste decorat sing Riveros cha Candela technique of using the
shield
HIGHLIGHT ITS HISTORY 40
Collect ablesTra der
The significance of a bridge worker’s rare 16
er blesTrad Collecta
survival from his fall is a worthy investment by the National Museum of Australia
Peter Lane
A
ustralia is internationally known for two man-made structures – the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House.
Anything relating to these structures is collectable, some more desirable than others. A recent highlight was a group of three modest silver and gold fob medallions relating to the bridge which went under the hammer at Noble Numismatics auction as one lot. They were acquired by the National Museum of Australia. Two were made in 9 ct gold and the other was a 1927 Canberra two shilling coin. The hammer price was $11,000 and I believe that it was very good value. When Top: Two from a collection of Sydney postcards and photos showing the bridge being built and completed Left: Sydney Harbour Bridge silver medal made by WJ Amor sold for $815
50
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I
This ar ticle is inform for th ation e gene of colle ral not be ctors and sh relied on for ould safety health matte and rs. Th is is no exhaus t an tive lis ting. If consul in doub t an ex t alway pert fo s r advi ce.
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10
ENGIN E & ST EAM R ALLIES revvin g up co llecto r inte rest
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For en gine an d mac over th hinery e coun aficio nados, try sh owca regula se rare r ralli es he Austr as offe ld all alian exam r expe ples as rtise and de well light en thusia sts PAULA TOW ERS
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or man y year s, all typ machin es of ery ha ve appe numbe aled to rs of co large llectors many as the clubs prolifer wh ich ha ated th ve rougho as inter ut Austr nationa alia – lly as we – attes Australi ll t to. M an clu ost of bs fall the Na the under tional the um Historic brella Associa al Mac of tion (N hinery HMA) existen wh ich ha ce for s been 25 year in s. A
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Collect ablesTra der
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A teenager’s diary becomes music memorabilia Special events remembered and shared
Take a shortcut tour of antique centres and dealers from around the country for those special pieces that won’t break the bank
What do collectables from New Guinea and New Mex although very different hav in common?
OCT - NOV 2012
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EDITION 106
EDITION 107
DEC 2012 - FEB 2013
Collectables subscription trader A u s t r a l a s i a ’s l e a d i n g a n t i q u e s a n d c o l l e c t a b l e s m a g a z i n e COLLECTORS AND THEIR STORIES Three very different collections
FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
TERRY INGRAM
SATSUMA FROM JAPAN
to priceless heritage A jug and its convict maker
looks at Irish and Scottish artworks with Aussie connections
How to identify the copies
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