The Film Archive - Crown Lynn

I've contacted "The Film Archive" as they have several archives relating to Crown Lynn - all are currently housed in Wellington. However I've discovered that they interloan the films between different centres for a $10 fee to cover couriers.

The Film Archive url is http://www.filmarchive.org.nz/

I searched Crown Lynn but if you search pottery there are a pile of films to search through.

Anyway to cut a long story short I've requested an interloan to the Auckland office and it will take 3 days for the films to get here... so I make that Tues or Weds (10th/11th March 2009) next week they should be available to watch.

The Auckland office of The Film Archive, Level 1, 300 Karangahape Road, Newton, Auckland

The films I've requested are as follows:

Reference: F687 Weekly Review 175 - 1944 NZ National Film Unit - 7 mins
"0:05:18 AUCKLAND .... CLAY FOR THE TEA TRAY. At a large Auckland pottery factory (Crown Lynn?) we see the process from clay to finished cups and saucers, bowls and plates. "

Reference: F9292 Crown Lynn - 1971 Doco - 7.51 mins
"Presenting Crown Lynn products into the homes of New Zealand.
The pottery has its beginnings in the clay found wrapped around coal at Huntly and other places around New Zealand. The clay is blended in a giant mixer, pressed, then processed into round shapes ready for use in the pottery.

Crown Lynn modellers and designers create each mould, ready for machines which automatically manufacture the products.There is always the need for the skill of hand and eye, checking for true roundness, quality and the sure touch of craftsmanship. The precision and skill used in the manufacture of Crown Lynn products is the focus of this film.

Crown Lynn products of all shapes, sizes, colour and design are dispatched throughout New Zealand and the world. "

Reference: F11013 Earth Fire and Water - Pacific Films 1959 13 mins

"At Matauri Bay in Northland, one of New Zealand's largest clay pits is found. Here the clay is quarried to supply manufacturers such as Crown Lynn, New Zealand's biggest industrial pottery company in Auckland. Clay is supplied from all over the country from Northland to Hyde in Central Otago. A survey of the processes that lead up to the manufacture of Crown Lynn pottery pieces is shown. The major work is mechanised, glazing and the final decorating is either by hand or with transfers that require another firing to stabilise the pattern. Finally, Crown Lynn pottery is used and displayed at various restaurants, businesses and households throughout New Zealand.
'From earth, fire and water, man has wrested a secret. From their fiery strength man has learnt the graceful, gentle craft of pottery."

Reference: F26232 The Visit of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to Crown Lynn February 1963 - Year 1963 Robert Steele Productions 8.53 mins

"THE VISIT OF HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II TO CROWN LYNN FEBRUARY 8th. 1963

0:46:40
Their Excellencies the Governor General and Lady Fergusson greet Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh as they arrive in the Bay of Islands on board the Royal Yacht Britannia. They are escorted to the reception area of the Waitangi National Trust Estate, given to the nation by a former Governor General, Lord Bledisloe. Waitangi celebrations are held here and the navy plays a major role during the ceremonies.
Lt. Commander TA Riddle RNZN, accompanies the Queen during an inspection of the Royal Guard of Honour. Prime Minister Mr Holyoake presents ministers and their wives and the Queen meets an old friend the Rt Hon. Walter Nash as well as the NZ Chiefs of Staffs. Once official duties are over the Royal couple leave for the Treaty House where Maori groups from all over the nation are gathered for the occasion. Escorting the Royal party is the Hon. RG Jarrod administrator of the Waitangi Maori Trust Board. A wero and powhiri await the Royal couple and they are later entertained by Maori groups.
Hundreds of guests on the roof of the Princess Wharf passenger lounge catch a glimpse of the Royal guests as they disembark from the Britannia to start a two day visit in Auckland. Chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board Mr RCFSavory? greets the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh. The motorcade then travels along Auckland's Queen Street where hundreds of spectators wait to catch a glimpse of them. On the way to the Auckland Domain thousands of parents and children await their arrival.
The Royal couple arrive at Crown Lynn Potteries and are greeted by Deputy Prime Minister Marshall and the General Manager Mr TE Clarke Jnr. One of the biggest pottery manufacturers in the southern hemisphere Crown Lynn produces 10 million pieces a year and can supply up to 50% of New Zealand's market. The range of products is some of the finest in the world. It is here that the Queen meet Mrs Rangi Ngakuru? whose great grandfather Kapiti? was the first Maori Chief to sign the Treaty of Waitangi. The Queen also has a brief chat with Miss Joyce Maunder a foundation member of the firm. An average of 60 new patterns a year is imprinted on Crown Lynn pottery exported around the world. Miss Maude Bowls, considered a pottery liner of world class, tutors employees in this field. Finally the Queen is escorted to the display room where she inspects the complete range of oven to tableware and meets the executives and directors of the company
0:55:52

Reference: F2079 The quality's included free - 1968- NZ National Film Unit 9.03 mins

"Promotes New Zealand as the tourist centre of the South Pacific and details New Zealand industries.
Begins with Guide "Bubbles" Mihinui showing tourists the sites at Whakarewarewa.
Industries include Hamilton Jet Boats, Crown Lynn Pottery, and Fletcher planes, which are shown top dressing a farm.
A housewife prepares the family roast in her kitchen equipped with New Zealand made products. She uses New Zealand frozen vegetables and vacuums with her New Zealand made vacuum cleaner. Meanwhile, Dad drinks a glass of beer while the lawn mower mows the lawns by itself.
Women model garments at a wool fashion show and are backed by men in white coats holding sheep!
Tourists admire Paua shell jewellery and ornaments."

Reference: F50951 Len Castle 1984 - Duration 11.47

"Len Castle works clay on his pottery wheel"

you can order an interloan to view these films at the following centres:

Whangarei
Hamilton
New Plymouth
Palmerston North
Otaki
Christchurch
Dunedin

I should add if you're in Wellington - they are normally housed there.

the cost is a very modest $5 for 3 films...I ordered 6 so it was $10...

http://www.filmarchive.org.nz/viewing/vaccess.html

I went and watched some of the films I interloaned today at The Archives in K rd (Auckland)...

The films will be there until the end of the week - so if you have a spare moment check them out..its free.

I'd recommend viewing F26232 about the Queens visit to Crown Lynn and F9292 Crown Lynn doco

Also for people interested in Studio Pottery there was a clip F50951 which I thought was about Len Castle as that was the reference but it was a compilation from the South Canterbury Pottery group. The opening section didnt look like Len Castle to me in fact the potter looked decidedly Japanese so I wondered if it might actually be Shoji Hamada throwing? ... He seemed incredibly skilled (not that I'm an expert) but well worth taking a look..perhaps someone more knowledgable will be able to confirm the identity of the first potter.