2008 - An extraordinary year at International Art Centre Fri, 30 Jan 2009

2008 - An extraordinary year at International Art Centre
Consolidating record results achieved at International Art Centre's March & July auctions, the 14 October sale confirmed an increasing and unwavering confidence in quality 19th & 20th Century New Zealand paintings. During economically challenging times, a worldwide trend to acquire tangible investments, is clearly being seen in our salesrooms. The enthusiasm of the market is supported by International Art Centre's focused, experienced and dedicated team, committed to the requirements of both buyers and sellers. International Art Centre's Important, Early & Rare auctions have met with unparalleled interest and success, both here and off shore. A clear focus on quality New Zealand 19th & 20th Century New Zealand paintings along with carefully selected offerings of contemporary masterpieces has seen sales exceed $5 million dollars from 2008's three Important Early & Rare auctions.

International Art Centre's Important, Early & Rare sales are highly anticipated by serious collectors of Important New Zealand Art. International Art Centre lead the New Zealand Art Auction Market in 2008 with consistent results. The results from 2008 speak for themselves.

Highlights were numerous including the spectacular live auction record for Charles F Goldie's 'Hori Pokai' fetching $400,000, the highest price for a New Zealand work of art at auction in five years. Charles Blomfield's 'The Domain, Auckland' made $70,000 in March, and Christopher Aubrey's 'Queenstown' fetched $72,000 against its presale estimate of $35,000 - 45,000. A Charles Barraud watercolour sold for $46,000. In the same sale a record $49,000 was achieved for Peter McIntyre's 'Otago Peninsula'. A pair of Blomfields of the Pink & White Terraces fetched $160,000.

July results were just as solid. $54,000 for a contemporary painting by Peter Siddell 'Western View' was a highlight as was $68,000 for a Charles Blomfield of the Pink Terrace. Two Goldie's made $165,000 & $285,000 respectively and a John Weeks went for $37,000. A small self portrait sketch by Russell Clark sold for $7,100, against its estimate of $2,500 - 3,500. Edward Bullmore's 'Florentine Market' made $74,000.

Results from October saw continued interest in these special sales resulting in the second highest auction total for 2008. $65,000 was bid for an important, early watercolour of New Plymouth by Edwin Harris, all of the Foster Clark Collection of Garth Tappers were sold under hammer as were the estate collection of Charles Blomfield's son, Alfred Yeoman. Top price of the evening was $291,000 for a Goldie 'Kapi Kapi', given its size of just 20 x 14.5 cm, it fetched a record for a painting of its size, $235,000 for another Goldie, and $145,000 for Evelyn Page's Nude in a Doorway. $68,000 was bid for Alfred Sharpe's 'Cadmans Creek'. $37,000 was bid for Ray Chings 'Calling the Names of Birds' and $35,000 for Peter Siddell's 'Westward' - contemporary masterpieces fared well.

Top 10 Prices at International Art Centre's Important, Early & Rare Art Auctions during 2008

• $400,000 Charles F Goldie Hori Pokai March
• $291,000 Charles F Goldie Kapi Kapi October
• $285,000 Charles F Goldie Harieta July
• $235,000 Charles F Goldie Tumai October
• $165,000 Charles F Goldie Time Tells July
• $160,000 Charles Blomfield Terraces March
• $145,000 Evelyn Page Nude October
• $87,500 Gottfried Lindauer Ana Rupene July
• $86,000 Gottfried Lindauer Ana Rupene March
• $74,000 Edward Bullmore Florence July

Prices quoted attract a buyers premium of 12% + GST (13.5% including GST)