Chance to bag a piece of history
A special item ingrained in New Zealand history is coming up for auction — with a hefty price tag.
A kit bag that belonged to mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary could be yours for $10,000 to $20,000 at auction in Dunbar Sloane’s Wellington antique sale next Thursday.
A listing in the New Zealand historical section, the heavy duty canvas drawstring kit bag was used by Hillary on the successful 1953 assault of Mt Everest.
This bag was authenticated by the mountaineer in 2003 and has a handwritten inventory transcribed on its side.
Written in Sir Ed’s hand, it reads, “Assault March, Not to be issued personally, 10 air mattresses, 4 sleeping bags 20 below, 1 sleeping bag Mummy, 2 pairs down gloves, 6 pairs leather fingered gloves, 6 pairs silk gloves, Hillary, Auckland New Zealand, clothing, Air Mail”.
A Dunbar Sloane spokeswoman said the bag had come from a private Hamilton collection. It was found in a caravan once owned by Hillary, which was sold to the owner in 2003.
“It is remarkable it has survived and fortunate that the vendors had the bag verified by the man himself,” the spokeswoman said.
The bag is estimated to sell for up to $20,000, with appeal to institutions and private collectors.
It will be up for grabs during a twoday auction covering antiques, decorative arts and jewellery.
The NZ Historical section sale is taking place on July 19 with other highlights of this section being a rare timber-inlaid card table made by 19th century master cabinetmaker Anton Seuffert which is expected to sell for $20,000 to $30,000, and a group of Peter Snell one-mile world record lap split time photographic stills.