Photo of first NZ All Blacks test unearthed
28 Sep 2010
An old black and white photo of the very first All Blacks test match in New Zealand has been discovered among a treasure trove of turn-of-the-century images in a Waikanae family estate.
The photo - now painstakingly ‘stitched together’ from 10 old glass negatives by retired Waikanae inventor Paul Martin - was taken by his grandfather Chas W Martin. It has been snapped up by the New Zealand Rugby Museum in Palmerston North, and will be on prominent display when it re-opens as a world-class exhibition space next May.
Martin estimated that he spent about 800 hours working on the photo - which is of the 1904 All Blacks test against the British and Irish Lions, at Athletic Park in Wellington.
World-class photo
Stephen Berg, the manager of the New Zealand Rugby Museum, says the quality and clarity of the photo is incredible.
"When Paul sent up a pre-image of it we were flabbergasted. We had no idea. It’s absolutely unique. That photo’s never been seen before and it just came to light this year."
The museum plans to use the photo as a five-metre wide, backlit and coloured backdrop for a special Athletic Park display next year, in time for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
All in the family
Martin found the negatives when he and his siblings inherited the family estate in 2005. One of his aunts had often told the story of how his grandfather Chas had captured the historic game.
He found the negatives stored among hundreds of old photos taken around the turn of the century. The images have also roused the interest of the Alexander Turnbull Library - New Zealand’s national library.
Martin said that the final ‘stitched-together’ photo was of better quality than he had expected.
"I’ve taken what image data I can from the various glass plate negatives and put it together like a jigsaw - that’s just putting it very simply," he said.
He plans to release a number of prints for limited edition sale.
Hard on the heels
All Blacks fans can get their fill of New Zealand’s national rugby team at a special nationwide photo exhibition by leading Kiwi photo-journalist Peter Bush.
The ‘Hard on the Heels’ exhibition, which runs until December 2011, will feature images from the 60 or more years that Bush spent on the trail of the All Blacks. His subjects include some of the world’s most famous NZ players including Sir Brian Lochore, Graham Mourie, Ian Kirkpatrick, Colin Meads and Jonah Lomu.
More than 100 photographs and a set of mural-size works will be on display. The images are drawn from Bush’s vast library, and document his favourite personal moments including the controversial and contentious and humorous, candid behind-the-scenes shots.
'Hard on the Heels' will show at 13 venues throughout New Zealand, finishing the tour with four concurrent exhibitions in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin during the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
New Zealand Rugby Museum
The New Zealand Rugby Museum is the first national rugby museum in the world and - given the country’s long and respected links with the sport - is recognised globally as one of the most important resources for rugby historians and the media.
Currently located at Arena Manawatu in Palmerston North’s central city, the museum houses more than 30,000 items including memorabilia and artefacts dating back to when the game was first played in New Zealand in 1870.
The museum will be relocated and upgraded in time for the huge influx of rugby fans expected for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. It will be rehoused in a new wing that’s being added to Te Manawa - the city’s main museum gallery. Building work began in early 2010, and the opening is planned for January 2011.
Palmerston North, the main centre in the Manawatu region, will host two Rugby World Cup pool games.
More information
World Cup goal for NZ Rugby Museum
All Blacks feature in major photo exhibition
NZ rugby museum fields rare 1st XV
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