Kiwiana under the hammer

Art+Object is hosting an auction of stock this weekend from Drummond's Antiques, which closed earlier this year. Jim Drummond stands among the items for sale. Photo / Babiche Martens

There was a collective mourning among local antique and curio collectors when Jim Drummond shut up shop earlier this year. His Anzac Ave store, Drummond's Antiques, was a treasure trove of unique, rare and strange pieces, as well as a place of inspiration for design folk.

Drummond decided to close the doors to the shop, which had been in the Anzac Ave spot for 14 years, after a new bus stop took away store parking. The advent of Trade Me certainly didn't help either.

But all is not lost - Drummond's massive collection is set to go to auction this weekend, in what is being called one of the auction events of recent years.

It will take place at Art+Object in Auckland, and will provide a unique snapshot of New Zealand design history, with rare Crown Lynn and Titian ceramicware sitting alongside other kiwiana, folk art, Depression era furniture, lighting, books, brickwork, toys and more. Drummond's antique shop stock will be auctioned off, as well as rare pieces from his expansive personal collection.

"I had a lot of stuff in storage from my own personal collection which I hadn't seen for many years," says Drummond.

"I thought I may as well put that up at the same time, and make a big auction out of it."

Art+Object Managing Director Hamish Coney believes it is so remarkable that it's unlikely such a collection will be seen again.

"It's a very New Zealand orientated auction, in terms of my personal collection. It's quite different from the usual antique auction in that way," says Drummond, whose passion for collectibles is due in part to growing up in West Auckland with a father who worked as an engineer for Crown Lynn. "If you're into your own personal history, there's certainly a lot there."

Up to 2000 lots will be up for auction on May 2 and 3, including an amazing carved fire surround from the late 19th century valued at $15,000-$25,000 and extremely rare Mirek Smisek for Crown Lynn "Bohemia Ware". But Drummond's personal picks are the 10 pieces from Captain L. Adair. "Those pieces, you just don't see around at all these days. They're part of our history...

"For anyone collecting New Zealand folk art history, it's a unique opportunity." The collection is available to view at Art+Object, or online at www.artandobject.co.nz, until May 2 when it will go under the hammer.