Part of Phillipps' collection at ReStore
Dunedin ReStore worker Grant McDougall displays treasures from the Martin Phillipps collection for sale. Photo: Gerard O'Brien
A compendium of books, records, DVDs and other ephemera which belonged to Martin Phillipps is now for sale at ReStore.
The founder of The Chills, who died in July last year aged 61, was also an avid reader, film viewer, music listener and collector.
So it came as no surprise to Phillipps' family that there would be boxes of items to sort.
But the sheer number of boxes of material surprised even them.
Phillipps' sister Rachel Devereux said some of the items had been donated to former members of The Chills or those with family connections; and the more important records and items might find their way into the Hocken Collections.
"We've had to take a careful approach, as Martin's collection includes many rare items. Fortunately, we've received invaluable support from Grant McDougall from ReStore and Bill from the former Scribes bookshop.
"Their help in sorting through a significant portion of the collection has made the process more manageable."
But there was still a treasure trove of material for sale, Ms Devereux said.
"Martin cared about helping people and supporting good causes, so giving ReStore the opportunity to benefit from some of his treasures felt like something that would have made him happy."
Slowly sorting through Phillipps' life had been "quite overwhelming, especially as we continue to come to terms with his loss", she said.
"We've already donated over 20 banana boxes of items to ReStore, with another load being dropped off this weekend.
"There's so much to carefully work through. A significant portion of his life's work will eventually be entrusted to New Zealand libraries."
She said they had already given his leather jacket, Fender guitar and other special items to Tūhura Otago Museum, where they are now proudly on public display.
"Martin had a long-standing connection with the Hocken Library in Dunedin, as has the rest of our family.
"The library has already begun receiving some of his items and will eventually be entrusted with a significant portion of his estate to preserve and protect."
Ms Devereux said she had often talked with her brother about what would happen with his collections.
"He knew I would be the one to handle most of it, and we were always on the same page about that.
"We both understood it would be a huge task, though I don't think I truly grasped just how overwhelming it would be."
Saying goodbye to his beloved collection had been "incredibly tough", she said.
"But it's something that needs to be done. Knowing that we can share his treasured items with friends, family and fans brings some comfort — that's what he wanted.
"Going through his belongings is tough. Each item carries special memories and reminds me that he's no longer with us. He had so many plans and dreams left to fulfil, and it's heartbreaking to know that won't happen now."
matthew.littlewood@odt.co.nz
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Part of Phillipps' collection at ReStore
Dunedin ReStore worker Grant McDougall displays treasures from the Martin Phillipps collection for sale. Photo: Gerard O'Brien A compendium of books, records, DVDs and other ephemera which belonged to Martin Phillipps is now for sale at ReStore. The founder of The Chills, who died in July last year aged 61, was also an avid reader, film viewer, music listener and collector. So it came as no surprise to Phillipps' family that there would be boxes of items to sort. But the sheer number of boxes of material surprised even them. Phillipps' sister Rachel Devereux said some of the items had been donated to former members of The Chills or those with family connections; and the more important records and items might find their way into the Hocken Collections. "We've had to take a careful approach, as Martin's collection includes many rare items. Fortunately, we've received invaluable support from Grant McDougall from ReStore and Bill from the former Scribes bookshop. "Their help in sorting through a significant portion of the collection has made the process more manageable." But there was still a treasure trove of material for sale, Ms Devereux said. "Martin cared about helping people and supporting good causes, so giving ReStore the opportunity to benefit from some of his treasures felt like something that would have made him happy." Slowly sorting through Phillipps' life had been "quite overwhelming, especially as we continue to come to terms with his loss", she said. "We've already donated over 20 banana boxes of items to ReStore, with another load being dropped off this weekend. "There's so much to carefully work through. A significant portion of his life's work will eventually be entrusted to New Zealand libraries." She said they had already given his leather jacket, Fender guitar and other special items to Tūhura Otago Museum, where they are now proudly on public display. "Martin had a long-standing connection with the Hocken Library in Dunedin, as has the rest of our family. "The library has already begun receiving some of his items and will eventually be entrusted with a significant portion of his estate to preserve and protect." Ms Devereux said she had often talked with her brother about what would happen with his collections. "He knew I would be the one to handle most of it, and we were always on the same page about that. "We both understood it would be a huge task, though I don't think I truly grasped just how overwhelming it would be." Saying goodbye to his beloved collection had been "incredibly tough", she said. "But it's something that needs to be done. Knowing that we can share his treasured items with friends, family and fans brings some comfort — that's what he wanted. "Going through his belongings is tough. Each item carries special memories and reminds me that he's no longer with us. He had so many plans and dreams left to fulfil, and it's heartbreaking to know that won't happen now."
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Scoop
7 days ago
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An Important Guide To Patterns For Traditional Māori Designs Comes Back Into Print After Many Years
In the more than 80 years since Māori Rafter & Tāniko Designs first saw the light of day, the book's clear text and sumptuous colour patterns have served legions of readers and craftspeople. Now Oratia Books is bringing this classic work by W.J Phillipps back into print, enabling a new generation to access a work that until now had been hard to source. The handy guide provides a detailed exploration of important patterns used in Māori architecture and textiles, focusing on the intricate designs of rafter carving, tāniko weaving and tukutuku panels. With an all-new layout, updated text elements including macrons, and inclusion of new colour illustrations, the new edition aims to help readers easily access the designs. That supports the aim Phillipps outlined in his introduction, namely 'to analyse Māori rafter patterns and discuss their component parts in such a manner that a clearer understanding and a greater appreciation of them will be the result.' Māori Rafter & Tāniko Designs goes on sale in June in good bookstores nationwide. The author William John (W.J.) Phillipps was born in Oamaru in 1893. In 1915, he joined the staff of the Dominion Museum (now Te Papa Tongarewa), Wellington, where he worked as an ethnologist, ichthyologist, ornithologist and scientific illustrator. During a career that spanned five decades, he published some 200 scientific papers and authored several books in the fields of zoology and anthropology. He passed away in 1967.
