Something is art, according to a definition in the Herald recently, if just one person says it is.
There are many people, especially in this white-hot rugby season, who would suggest that Sitiveni Sivivatu's ghosting effortlessly past defenders, or Daniel Carter's pinging goals from all parts of the field, fitinto the category.
So a Dunbar Sloane sale in the Hall of Legends at Eden Park on July 6 - the day after the Lions play Auckland - can be expected to attract wide interest.
There is good money in sporting memorabilia - witness the tens of thousands of dollars just paid by Coca-Cola at an auction in Berlin for a crystal cup presented to record-breaker Jack Lovelock after his celebrated 1500m victory in the 1936 Olympic Games.
Witness, too, the $61,000 paid in Adelaide last month for a cricket bat used by favourite son Don Bradman, and the $8360 at Sotheby's in London for the jersey worn by All Black five-eighths Bob Burgess against Wales in 1972.
In terms of rugby fame, fullback Don Clarke, the nemesis of an earlier Lions expedition, would rank well above Burgess. His widow Patsy has released memorabilia from his estate to be sold in Auckland now; the collection includes jerseys, photographs and The Boot's personal All Black blazer.
Adding to the sporting mix will be items from the personal collection of one of New Zealand's greatest cricketers, all-rounder John R. Reid. And another sporting legend and great mate of Clarke's, Pine-Tree Meads, will introduce the auction.
Webb's is taking advantage of the mood of the moment with its own sporting memorabilia sale, the day after Sloane's. Look for lots more All Black history.
At Sloane's art sale last month a Goldie portrait of Rutene te Umairangi from 1939 sold for $230,000 ($262,338 with 12.5 per cent buyer's premium and GST).
An early painting showing the battle honours of the 58th (Rutlandshire) Regiment, which fought in the first war against the Maori in 1845, went for $8000.
In spite of electoral and economic uncertainty, the art market seems to be holding up. Webb's reports a final figure of more than $2.5 million from its April sale, and is predicting another strong catalogue for June 29.
Hamish Walsh, formerly of Dunbar Sloane, will run Mayfayre auctions, now Mayfair, at new premises in Takapuna.
He will start out with general auctions, as in the past, but plans to build up to fine and decorative arts and artefacts.
Coming up:
Mayfair's first sale in its new premises, 99A Hurstmere Rd, Takapuna, is next Wednesday.
Webb's big sale is on June 28 (jewellery), 29 (art) and 30 (decorative arts). The sporting memorabilia sale is on July 7.
Dunbar Sloane's last sale in St Mark's Rd is on July 20 and 21, with antiques, collectibles and artefacts. Among them will be four tiki, one estimated to go as high as $60,000.
Cordy's next art and antiques catalogue sale is on July 12.
The International Art Centre's next investment sale will be on July 21.
