1820s Tool Chest and early NZ colonial period tool collection

**kiwioutdoors** · 8th September 2020, 08:11 AM

This is for sale on trade me in New Zealand if anyone has a bit of spare coin.

C. 1820s Tool Chest and early NZ colonial period tool collection | Trade Me

description as follows " Note I have no interest in this auction or sale

This is very rare and beautiful tool chest originally belonging to famous carpenter and leading Auckland architect Henry Greensmith Wade.

This is a very rare and special opportunity to own both a beautiful chest but also a very comprehensive collection of early tools. Several of the items are stamped with HGW and the original stamp is included. Many of the other tools have been collected over time to bring together what would have been an authentic NZ Colonial Carpenters set of tools and instruments.

The tool chest was made c. 1826 and is lined in mahogany with ebony stringing. It comprises four tills with banks of drawers and compartments that open horizontally, a vertical tray for marking tools, and three wells in the base for large plans and heavy items.

This chest and some of its contents are noted in Furniture of the NZ Colonial Era pages 399 - 416. Please refer to the images in this listing for a summary of the tools included. Unfortunately, these are the only photos I have to hand at the present time as the chest is in storage. Amongst the many items in this chest are a comprehensive set of I & H and Robert Sorby saws, a selection of moulding planes, a large variety of chisels and other wood working equipment along with drawing and measuring instruments.

***Whilst the majority of tools show in the book images are still in the box the odd item may have been removed by the previous own so please only use the book as a guide and feel welcome to ask any specific questions you have***

This chest is extremely heavy and will need to be emptied to move it out of storage. It sits on a pallet and has cloth covered foam blocks fitted inside to ensure there is no movement of the drawers during transit. No one on site will be able to assist with heavy lifting.

Pick up is generally limited to Wednesday and Sunday afternoons and with several weeks notice, very effort will be made to accommodate where possible. Please contact with any questions.

I wish i had that much spare Coin

**dubrosa22** · 8th September 2020, 09:18 AM

Beautiful tool box!

I'd hate to see it sold and parted out into individual sale lots which could likely occur. It's a piece of history.

**Gaza58** · 8th September 2020, 11:53 AM

Wow... what an amazing piece of history.... Certainly would be a shame to break it up.... It would be good if someone bought it to put on display at a museum or the like so others could enjoy it's beauty.
Gaza

**orraloon** · 8th September 2020, 05:39 PM

Some really nice tools in there and in good nick. The fancy work rope handles are the same as on seamen's chests. As said it would be a real shame if that collection were broken up.
Regards
John

**kwigly** · 10th September 2020, 10:29 AM

Some really nice tools, some of which likely came to NZ with Mr Wade in 1863, but some are obviously later additions (e.g. Ultimatum braces). I wonder if some/any tools were added even after Wade's death, and what would a carpenter/architect use a sector rule for? and which "odd items may have been removed". Still a nice chest and tool collection whatever the provenance/status.

**markharrison** · 10th September 2020, 05:12 PM

Amazing set of kit and so intact. That is very rare.

The current bid is $4500NZD. So, so cheap.

It should stay in NZ, IMO. Preferably where other people can see it.

**bayleysm** · 21st September 2020, 06:53 PM

Hi, I’m the owner of the chest if anyone has any questions. I was using google to check something about Henry Greensmith Wade and stumbled across this forum. Unfortunately no one seems interested in the chest at anywhere near a realistic price and my reserve is quite a bit below what I paid for the chest. I won’t be listing it again at this stage as it just seems to not be appreciated by buyers on Trademe. The chest alone less the tools would sell for close to my reserve in the UK but I’m trying to keep it in NZ.

**kiwioutdoors** · 22nd September 2020, 08:10 AM

He offered it for $9500 after it closed without selling.

Originally Posted by markharrison

Amazing set of kit and so intact. That is very rare.

The current bid is $4500NZD. So, so cheap.

It should stay in NZ, IMO. Preferably where other people can see it.

**bayleysm** · 23rd September 2020, 03:05 AM

Hi there - if anyone would like more information on the chest.. happy to answer. I have owned for about 5 years and the previous owner restored it - William
Cotterell - NZ’s leading colonial furniture expert. It won’t be parted out but as I am now living overseas. I don’t get to enjoy it anymore as it’s deemed an
antiquity of NZ and I was hoping for a new home but all good if I retain. The reserve is well under what I paid which was 11k. Just sad to see it in storage and not being appreciated.

**markharrison** · 23rd September 2020, 09:42 PM

Is there a NZ museum that would be interested? Seems to me that a museum is where this belongs.

I really don't think you paid too much for that. $11k seems very reasonable to me for what is a unique collection of items of this quality.

Thank you for dropping by to tell us about this item.

**bayleysm** · 23rd September 2020, 09:49 PM

We have tried to get it into the National Museum but they are more interested in clothing and wall art... it seems to be there current focus - which is annoying but still proud to be the owner of such a fine collection of tools.

**ian** · 24th September 2020, 03:42 PM

There's a museum on the North Island of New Zealand that might be interested in displaying the chest on the basis of a long term loan, or perhaps they have a budget big enough to consider purchasing your tool chest.

My recollection is vague as it's been over ten years since I was last in New Zealand, but my recollection is the museum was somewhere in the vicinity of Waitangi. I visited the museum as part of a short trip to the Bay of Islands when my wife was working part-time in New Zealand 11 to 15 years ago. I heard about the place at a talk given to The Traditional Tools Group by a member who had visited the place.

Sorry i can't be more precise

**ian** · 24th September 2020, 03:58 PM

Perhaps the place I'm thinking of is HOME - Puhoi Heritage Museum

my wife has just remembered that she bought some jam there that was subsequently confiscated by Australian Customs

**bayleysm** · 24th September 2020, 08:43 PM

Maybe the Kauri Museum.... I’ll give it some thought.

**ian** · 25th September 2020, 01:21 AM

Originally Posted by bayleysm

Maybe the Kauri Museum.... I’ll give it some thought.

You can ask the Kauri Museum if they are interested in acquiring your tool chest, but my recollection is that we visited both the place I'm thinking of (perhaps it was the Puhoi Heritage Museum) and the Kauri Museum as part of our "Bay of Islands trip".
I can visualise arriving at the second place and it was totally different approach to that of the Kauri Museum.

BTW, my wife has a similar recollection we visited two very different museums on that trip

also, it might be worthwhile checking if Te Papa have changed their mind re acquiring -- or long term loan -- of the tool chest

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