William Ockelford Oldman was born in Lincolnshire and married 

. He lived in Brixton Hill (London), where he was a collector and dealer of ‘exotic artefacts’, mostly Polynesian. Elected Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute in May 1905, he was also a life member of the Polynesian Society. From 1928/29 to his death, he lived at Poynders Road, Clapham Park, London.

He produced printed catalogues in the manner of 

 and started by publishing lists (c. 1902–3), the first was called ‘Special List of Genuine Curiosities at Low Prices’ and the second ‘Monthly List of Latest Purchases’. He went on to publish seventeen other lists; unfortunately none is illustrated. He later published 121 catalogues with photographs of all the items, but with no dates after June 1908. All the catalogues were reproduced in a limited edition of 1,000 privately printed copies in 1976. Copies of thirteen of his ledger books are in the 

W. D. Webster and W. O. Oldman knew each other well, and Oldman learnt from Webster. In November 1904 at 

, Oldman spent about £200 at the sale of Webster’s stock. In 1912, he bought a Benin 

 from Walton for £60. In 1914, he bought a pair of Benin 

 for £43. In July 1920, he bought a £180 Benin Bronze standing figure (now in the British Museum) at Stevens’. 1922, he bought a Benin altar tusk from Spink’s (

) for £70. It was said that other buyers such as 

 were ‘filled with dismay when Oldman appeared in the sale-rooms because he could outbid them for most items’ (Waterfield, 2006, p.65-77

Through his catalogues, he established contacts abroad and continued sending lists with photographs. He was in contact with staff from the Peabody Museum, Salem; University Museum, Philadelphia; Zoological Museum, Buenos Aires; Rotterdam Museum, among others. Oldman also exhibited parts of his collection abroad.

He tried stimulating British interest in his collection of African and Polynesian objects. In 1947, Oldman was forced to sell his house in Clapham to the London Country Council, since its area was being scheduled for redevelopment. In 1948, after many twists and turns, the Government of New Zealand purchased his collection for £44,000 (later incorrectly reported as £45,000). Many of Oldman’s letters, books and catalogues are in the archives of the Alexander Turnbull Library and Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington.

After Oldman’s death in 1949, Mrs Oldman sold a Benin Bronze 

Ikpakohen (Hornblower or Fluteplayer Figure)

 to the Horniman Museum. She kept only a few objects for herself and sold the remaining ones at 

 in July 1950. The Oldmans had no children, and the objects retained by D. K. Oldman, photographs and letters, were passed to a friend’s daughter, who sold them to Bob Hales.

Wikidata Link

Oldman, William Ockelford 

Dealer

Collector

Ẹroro

Aken'ni Elao

Osogan

Uhunmwu elao ọghe Iy’ọba 

Ẹkpẹtin

Uhunmwu-Elao

Okpia

Ikpin

Uhẹnhẹn/Ekuyẹ

Emwiegbe

Ighẹghan

Uhunmwu-Ẹkuẹ

Ebẹn

Akohẹn/Oko

Anwa/Akpoka

Ẹgba

Agba

Urhotọ

Ahianmwẹ-Ọrọ

Ọkporhu

Asoro

Urhukpa-Ẹvbi

Ikoro

Akhẹ

Akhẹ Osun

Iy’Ọba

Oroka

Iyeọkhọkhọ

Onwọ

Ẹgogo

Ivin

Ukpu

Ẹkan

Ẹzuzu

Ewua

Isanrẹn

Osisi/Etu

Igho

Ugbudian

Ẹkpo

Ukhurhẹ

Umozo/Ọhọ

Agbada

Ughegbe

Oyiya

Azuwa

Ivbiotọ

Ukeke

Okhuo

Ẹkpẹn

Akhẹ Amẹ

Uzokpo

Ako-Ọpia

Ivie

Akhiọn/Ukoko

Ikẹgobọ

Emwiurhu

Ikpotoki

Idẹnrhẹn

Elubasẹ/Isevbere

Ufere

Ibierugha

Isẹ

Ikpakohen

Ẹrhẹ

Asologun

Asigbe

Ughavan

Ẹkpẹde

Uhanbọ

Asẹbẹrhia 

Ukpọn

Ọkpan

Ẹkpoki

Aro Ododua

Eseiku

Ekọrọkọrọ

Ọba

Ẹrhu

Akpata

Okhua'ẹ

Umọmọ

Ugbẹkun

Uman-ague/Ugbugbe

Ukhuerhe

Uko Ẹkhaẹ

Unwẹnrhiẹn/Unwẹnrhiẹnọtan

Ifẹnmwẹ

Ovazẹ

Ẹguẹn

Okhiẹ

Bell

Relief Plaque

Fragment

Altar Tusk

Osun Staff

Commemorative Queen Mother Head

Commemorative Head

Stand

Male Figure

Roof Figure

Snake Figure

Spoon

Charm

Crotal Bell

Figure Group

Staff of Office

Pendant Mask

Pendant Plaque

Ceremonial Sword

Horn or Flute

Tong

Bracelet

Carved Wooden Panel

Stool

Horse Rider Figure

Altar Tableau

Bird of Prophecy Staff

Hornmount

Rooster Figure 

Spear

Shield

Lamp

Udo-Style Head

Armcuff

Ceremonial Paddle

Queen Mother Figure

Finger Ring

Crucible

Hen Figure

Wax Model

Mould

Drum

Gong

Carved Coconut Vessel

Cup 

Bead

Ewua Messenger Figure

Horn

Firearm

Manilla

Flywhisk

Bird of Prophecy Figure

Ancestral Staff 

Executioners or Warfare Sword

Knife and Dagger

Flask

Mirror

Comb

Hair Ornament

Trophy Head

Ornament

Striker

Female Figure

Leopard Figure

Aquamanile

Lidded bowl

Sheath

Smoking Pipe

Weaving Accessory

Altar of the Hand

Neck Ornament

Portuguese Figure

Key Hook

Anklet

Whistle

Attendant Figure

Staff Finial

Game

Hornblower or Fluteplayer Figure

Chair

Disc

Ewer

Lamellophone

Bolt

Celt (Thunderbolt/Thunderaxe)

Crossbow

Fiddle and Bow

Altar Ring

Clothing

Bowl