Eileen Deste [1908-1986]

Eileen Deste 1908-1986.

In February 1938 tenders were invited for the position of official photographer to the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition to be held in Wellington in 1939 and 1940. Deste’s submission included a testimonial from John A. Lee, under-secretary for housing in the Labour government, relating to her photography for a housing exhibition in the Kirkcaldie and Stains gallery in 1937. She won the contract, which gave her the sole right to photograph exhibits or any other object in the exhibition buildings or grounds. A percentage of the gross takings from the sale of the photographs was to go to the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition Company. She was to document all aspects of the exhibition, from construction to its closing on 4 May 1940. She flew above the site in a small plane to take aerial shots, an experience she later remembered as terrifying but exciting.

Deste had an agreement with Coulls Somerville Wilkie Limited to supply photographs for publications and general souvenir material, and her photographs illustrate its Pictorial souvenir of the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition, 1939–1940. She also had a stall in the General Exhibits Building, where visitors could buy photographs and postcards in black and white and colour. However, much of the photography at the exhibition was not carried out by her but by an employee, Neville d’Eresby (Des) Aickin, while she did the processing and printing at her studio. There was considerable dissatisfaction with the quality and style of the photographs she supplied, and the exhibition company agreed to allow other photographers to work on specific projects. Deste complained and requested compensation, but was unsuccessful.

The above was taken from the following site, where you can find more information. Moira M. Long. 'Deste, Eileen Olive - Biography', from the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/biographies/5d18/1

Four years in planning, the Centennial Exhibition opened on 8 Nov 1939, it closed 4 May 1940. During that time over 2.6 million visitors passed through the gates. For more information go to www.nzhistory.net.nz/culture/nz-centennial-1940

I am a member of the New Zealand Postcard Society. Membership enquiries to jenny-long@clear.net.nz These cards are a selection from my collection.

17.10.11

Aerial View.

NZ Centennial Exhibition Aerial View. Plain back.
Posted by at No comments:

14.12.10

The Tower.

Edmund Anscombe was the architect of the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition of 1939–40. The International style conveyed by the structures at Rongotai, Wellington, was intended to reflect New Zealand's progressive approach to the world. As an architect of exhibitions Anscombe had the ability and experience to put grand ideas into form.
Greg Bowron. 'Anscombe, Edmund - Biography', from the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 1-Sep-10
www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/biographies/4a17/1
Centennial Tower.
Eileen Deste. Rubber stamp postcard back.

Exhibition by night, No10.
New Zealand Postcard back. No photographer or publisher.
Posted by at No comments:

Centennial Avenue.

Centennial Avenue, Dominion Court Building and Tower Block.
Coulls Somerville Wilkie Souvenir Post Card back. Eileen Deste Photo. 
Posted by at No comments:

Australian Pavilion.

Australian Pavilion.
Photo Eileen Deste.

Australian Court, No5.
New Zealand Postcard back. No photographer or publisher.
Posted by at No comments:

United Kingdom Pavilion.

United Kingdom Pavilion.
Photo Eileen Deste. Rubber stamp postcard back.
Posted by at No comments:

The Statues.

Sculptor William Trethewey made the statuary for the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition. Working more swiftly in plaster, rather than his usual stone, he had the opportunity to turn New Zealand myth into sculpture. There was a large 100-foot frieze on the progress of New Zealand; two dramatic groupings (a pioneer man and son, and a pioneer woman and family); lions in art deco style, which stood outside the British pavilion; a decorative fountain; and the large figure of Kupe standing on the prow of his canoe. Sadly, of this work only the sculpture of Kupe survives.
After spending 40 years in the Wellington Railway Station the Kupe sculpture was cast in bronze in 2000 and placed on the Wellington waterfront at Taranaki Street Wharf.
Jock Phillips. 'Trethewey, William Thomas - Biography', from the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 1-Sep-10
www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/biographies/4t26/1
Maori statue. [Kupe]
Highways and Byways Series, 34.185. No photographer or publisher.

'Pioneer Man' and 'Pioneer Woman'.
Both Eileen Deste, and rubber stamp postcard backs.
Cascades and Allegorical Panel on the Tower Block.
Coulls Somerville Wilkie Souvenir Post Card back. Eileen Deste Photo.

Illuminated Fountain.
Highways and Byways Series, 34.174. No photographer or publisher.
Sea Horse.
One of four around the fountain. Plain back, no photographer or publisher.

Posted by at No comments:

Sound Shell.

Sound Shell.
Photo Eileen Deste. Rubber stamp postcard back.
The Sound Shell.
Plain back. Eileen Deste, 34123.
I don't know for sure, but this series of cards may have been produced in competition
with the Highways and Byways series.
Posted by at No comments:

Exhibits.

School group in front of Ford Exhibit.
Photo Eileen Deste. Rubber stamp postcard back.
North Island Pioneer Hut, 1840, Women's Court. C.S.W. Ltd.
South Island Pioneer Room, 1850-60, Women's Court. C.S.W. Ltd.
Posted by at No comments:

Playland.

Playland.
Coulls Somerville Wilkie Souvenir Post Card back. Eileen Deste Photo.
Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)