Monday, May 01, 2023

In 1848, the first daguerreotype made in New Zealand was attempted, that of Eliza Grey, wife of Governor George.  It failed, but shortly after, studios were established in Wellington and one in Auckland set up by Isaac Polack, nephew of Joel Polack, the early trader and writer.

 In 1866 Walter Burton, opened his portraiture studio, two years later was joined by his brother Alfred who travelled widely through New Zealand, and later, the Pacific, pioneering the use of a portable darkroom, photographing landscapes, images of Māori, and village life particularly in the 1880s.

We have for sale a wonderful private collection of Burton Brothers’ original photographs such as is depicted here showing the village of Koriniti on the Whanganui River in 1885. The village was established in 1848 and named after Corinth by the Whanganui missionary the Rev Richard Taylor.

Photographic images such as this are timeless, placing us back in the centre of 19^th century New Zealand life.