Theodore Bruce
The John Butler Estate Auction - 727 lots
The John Butler Estate Auction
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Auction House:
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Reference:#AS0199
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Description:COLLECTION OF YOUR PURCHASES:
All lots to be collected from the house 105 Penshurst Street, Willoughby. Limited delivery will be available during the sale, post sale and Monday 9 February from 9am to 3pm.
THEODORE BRUCE'S ESSAY ON JOHN BUTLER:
John Frederick Butler (1937-2014)
When he left school, John Butler’s first job was at the local post office. After only one year, he left to start his own antique shop in Wahroonga. From there, he met his future business partner, whom he developed a highly successful antique business for over sixteen years.
John sold his share to his business partner and bought a small Church in Penshurst Street, Willoughby. The sandstone Church, built in 1871, was the first Congregational Church on Sydney’s North Shore. He acquired it from a deceased estate and set about restoring it to the manner of his pleasing. Every inch of wall space was plastered and covered in wall paper and as he chipped away, he discovered an assortment of nooks and crannies in which to cram his future collection.
John then started collecting in earnest and took up painting, a talent he demonstrated in his youth, but had never been fully explored. He began with tin cut outs of animals and moved onto artwork with animals, using domestic enamel paints, because they are bright and cheery. John never painted humans as he believed they have never learned from their mistakes and wars; he also steadfastly refused to create anything gloomy.
The little Church at 105 Penshurst Street Willoughby now stands as a testament to John’s artistic talent and houses a truly extraordinary and eclectic collection of Australian pottery, decorative arts and all manner of things.
Theodore Bruce is indeed honoured to have been entrusted with the dispersal of John’s Estate.
James Badgery
Director -
Sale(s):08 Feb 2015 ~ 11am
Laurel Bank Cottage
85 Penshurst Street
Willoughby, NSW 2068 Australia -
Viewing:06 Feb 2015 ~ 12noon - 4pm
105 Penshurst Street
Willoughby, NSW 2068
Australia
07 Feb 2015 ~ 10am - 4pm
105 Penshurst Street
Willoughby, NSW 2068
Australia
08 Feb 2015 ~ 9.30am - 11am
105 Penshurst Street
Willoughby, NSW 2068
Australia
Prices realised in this sale include buyers premium of 22.000%.
