Webb’s becomes first major NZ auction house to sell NFTs

Irene Dong

31st Jan 2022

Webb’s has announced its first NFT sale which it claims is also the first by a major auction house in New Zealand. 

The online auction Charles Goldie: One of a Kind closes Tuesday (February 1) and consists of two NFTs: Charles Frederick Goldie at His Easel, and Charles Frederick Goldie in His Studio. 

“Charles Goldie is unquestionably one of New Zealand’s greatest and most celebrated artists,” said Charles Ninow, director of art.

“These two early 20th century photographs are perhaps the most widely recognised and circulated images of him. Presenting them in an innovative contemporary format is an exciting prospect, and also a first for a major auction house in New Zealand.” 

The digital assets – which portray Charles Goldie in his studio – are made from the original glass plate negatives and the NFT buyer can also receive the frame contact print of the image along with the original glass plate negative in a custom-built pine box.

“It is remarkable to discover the original glass-plate negatives of these well-known photographs,” Ninow added. 

“They have made possible the creation of extraordinarily detailed digital scans, which we have used to mint NFTs. This is an excellent example of the special qualities of old technology meeting, and being and enhanced by, cutting-edge contemporary technologies and media formats.”