GEM OF A LITTLE TRUNK HAS GOOD VALUE
There’s great interest in rare luggage today, and intact label makes this a true find
Q I received this little trunk as a gift more than 55 years ago. As far as I can recollect, it was purchased in a small antiques shop on Sherbrooke Street in Montreal. It is approximately 35 cm wide by 20 cm deep and 12 cm high (14 x 8 x 5 inches). It is made of wood covered with an animal hide (perhaps beaver), with leather bands and brass tacks. A provenance label inside the lid includes the information “Wheeler & Travel?, Trunk Manufacturers, Entrance of the St. Antoine Suburbs, Montreal.” I am curious as to its age and purpose. Thanking you, in advance. Jacques, Ottawa
A This little trunk is a gem, and was probably made for some lucky little girl to store her doll clothes and accessories. Hide-covered trunks were in vogue from 1780 to about 1830, and the slightly domed lid was used throughout the 1800s, so this was likely made between 1800 and 1830. The intact and very rare label of this until-now unknown company will be of great interest to collectors of Canadian trunk manufacturers. There is great interest in rare luggage today, making this worth $375.
Q I’m wondering if this brass item might be of some historical value. It was given to my wife by the owner of an antiques store in Paris, France, in the 1960s. It weighs about 24 grams and is about 8 cm high and 6 cm wide (3 x 2.4 inches). The thickest part of it is a little over 5.5 mm (0.216 inches). I feel its appearance resembles a sheaf of wheat strung together by clamps of wood consisting of two sticks which are tied together by three cords or wires. There is a loop by which this pendant could be suspended. I have shown this to museum professionals in Ottawa and Toronto, but no one could even venture an opinion. Wolf, Gloucester
A This small mystery is a bookmark. The thin end, designed to look like a tassel, was meant to slide between the pages, and the looped handle would very likely have had an actual tassel draped from it. Bookmarks were a luxury item from about 1880 to 1920, and many were made with precious stones and metals. This one is much more recent — mid-20th century at the earliest — produced in China for the Western market, along with a plethora of other inexpensive novelty charms and other brass items. Some are cleverly marketed as “vintage retro,” but for very little money. While fun and interesting, and a collectible item for sure, I’d value it at not more than $20.
Q This wooden-wheeled wheelbarrow was purchased for $20 in the 1980s from an elderly retired dairy farmer in Marvelville, Ont. Luckily it had been used to feed the cattle hay in the barn and not to tend to the other end! Although not perfect, as a couple of boards on top are missing chunks, it is otherwise intact and original, including its colour. Length is 170 cm by 74 cm wide and 55 cm high (67 x 29 x 21.5 inches) with a wheel diameter of 44 cm (17.5 inches). I would appreciate finding out the value of this item. Gordon, Perth
A This is quite well-constructed and was probably made in North America very close to where you found it. Reinforced with steel bolts and straps, the wood frame also has mortise and tenon construction. It’s nice to see the original “red buttermilk” paint coat and the handles are still sound. This wheelbarrow may also have been used for carrying vegetables harvested from the garden. I’d peg its date to a period of 1850 to 1880, and the wooden wheel looks to be original although usually they were fitted with spoked iron wheels at the time this one was made. There aren’t many originals like this, and it’s worth about $150.
John Sewell is an antiques and fine art appraiser. To submit an item to his column, go to the ‘Contact John’ page at www.johnsewellantiques.ca. Please measure your piece, say when and how you got it, what you paid and list any identifying marks. A high-resolution jpeg photo must also be included. (Only email submissions accepted.) * Appraisal values are estimates only.*