Icelandic antique photograph from the past long gone at the bidding table.
Hangin' on to History: The Enigmatic case of a Lost Icelandic Treasure
In the world of history and art, nothing's more disheartening than the vanishing act of a century-old gem. And that's exactly what happened to one of Iceland's oldest, 19th-century photographs of Reykjavik harbor, currently missing in action while under the custody of Stockholms Auktionsverk—the world's oldest operating auction house, no less!
Historian Árni Freyr Magnússon stumbled upon this riches-to-rags story when he browsed through the auction catalog. Catching a whiff of history, he checked and realized the national museum had no copy of it. Fueled by a sense of patriotic duty, he decided to bid on it—with the intention of donating the photo to the Icelandic Museum of Photography.
But just when things seemed sailing smoothly, Magnússon received some heart-stopping news: the photograph vanished!
The Devil's in the Details
"I'm flummoxed about what happened to it, and I reckon it ain't cool, especially from an auction house known for its history," Magnússon said. "Stockholms Auktionsverk has been around since 1674, for Pete's sake! You'd think they'd have their act together."
Although he's careful not to cast aspersions, Magnússon wonders if the photo was swiped or merely misplaced. And it's a puzzle worth pondering; after all, there aren't exactly photographs galore from Iceland in the 19th century. So, losing this unique relic is no laughing matter.
A Piece of History, No Ordinary Snapshot
This missing masterpiece is a stereoscopic image, captured between 1858 and 1862 by None Other Than British Captain R.J. Henry. This technique, a 3D wonder, creates an illusion of depth by presenting two perspectives to each eye, much like human vision.
The image belonged to the collection of Ove Renqvist—a Swedish filmmaker, photographer, and collector, with an extensive archive of photographic history. Renqvist was a whiz when it comes to stereoscopic images, boasting one of Sweden's largest collections of the kind.
Losing this prized piece of history strikes a significant blow to Icelandic cultural history and the broader photographic record. Magnússon, unfortunately, is still awaiting answers from the auction house about the photo's whereabouts.
Nibbling Away at Our History
If this sorta thing keeps happening, you'd think history's got its own enemies, nibbling away at its collective memory. This loss highlights the importance of struggle in preserving cultural heritage and the need for tight security measures to avoid the loss or theft of historical relics.
A Lesson in Responsibility
Stockholms Auktionsverk's track record includes high-profile sales and modern art exhibitions. However, the loss of the Reykjavik photograph raises questions about their commitment to preserving history. Perhaps it's high time they reevaluate their approach to safeguarding our shared past.
- "Magnusson, despite the centuries-old reputation of Stockholms Auktionsverk, finds it perplexing that the oldest Icelandic photograph, a stereoscopic image, went missing from their custody – an incident that especially concerns him as it relates to the history of entertainment and photography."
- "Clearly, the lost photograph holds immense value beyond its monetary worth, as it represents one of the few existing 19th-century images from Iceland, making it a unique treasure in the world of news and history."
- "In the wake of this disappearance, it becomes increasingly evident that auction houses like Stockholms Auktionsverk, with their historical significance, bear a great responsibility in preserving and safeguarding our collective cultural heritage as they host auctions featuring items of global interest."
