TEACUPS AND TUNES
Value of family treasures
Q My cousin thoughtfully passed along this family mandolin owned and played by our grandfather from the time he was 10 years old. It measures 67 cm in length (26.5 inches). The label inside says; “Gibson Mandolin Guitar Mfg. Co patented February first 1898 Kalamazoo, Michigan, U.S.A.” It is in very good condition. It has a leather case dated 1893. My grandfather was born and raised in Southampton, Ont. but often travelled to St. Jacobs and Berlin (Kitchener) Ont. to visit family. We’d love to hear any information you may have! Thank you very much. Mary, Kitchener.
A Orville Gibson was a luthier, making mandolins and guitars in Kalamazoo, Mich., from
1896 to 1902. The business was taken over as The Gibson Mandolin- Guitar Manufacturing Company, Limited in 1902, with Orville remaining on as a consultant. The case was made by Maulbetsch & Whittemore in New Jersey (founded in 1886).
Gibson instruments need an expert eye to assess so I consulted Mark Stutman, well known across North America as an instrument restoration specialist and store owner of Folkway Music in Waterloo, Ont. Mark identified this mandolin as a Gibson A model, built in late 1905 or early 1906, featuring an inlaid pick guard made of tortoiseshell and mother of pearl, a pineapple-shaped tailpiece cover, an ‘Orville’ label, and simple pearl dot position markers.
Mark added that this was Gibson’s lowest-end mandolin model in its day but this example appears to be completely original and in excellent condition (missing only a tiny bit of shell) accompanied by its original tooled case, also in fine shape. He explained that having a less powerful sound compared to later examples, it is a collector’s piece more than it is a performer’s instrument.
He assesses this wonderfully preserved example as having a current market value of $1,800.
Q My mother purchased this rifle in Spain in 1976. Would you have any information about this rifle and its value? Thanks. Daryl, Ottawa.
A You have a blunderbuss — defined as having a very short barrel flaring like a trumpet at its open end. It is considered a forerunner of the shotgun since the flare allowed for ammunition to scatter widely as opposed to travelling in a perfectly aimed straight line. They were used in combat at close quarters. The firing mechanism is a flintlock, which would have a piece of flint clamped in place to strike a plate and throw a spark into the gunpowder chamber, causing firing of the gun.
It appears to be an old gun, possibly from the mid-1700s or 1800s. It would need a closer examination to determine if there is an obscure maker’s mark to help date and identify it more accurately as well as value it. Replicas have been made as wall decorations, which are not that valuable. If old (and real), it will have a starting value of $750. With the right verified information it could escalate quickly to a few thousand.
Q This cup and saucer was found in a cupboard in my aunt’s dining room. I’ve heard that some can be worth a lot more than others. It’s made by Royal Grafton, England. Can you tell me if this is a special one or should I just enjoy a cup of tea. Dorothy, Chatham.
A You have a winner. In the last few years there are select cup and saucer designs that stand out for a market, possibly driven by the Downton Abbey television series. Cups with a certain decoration or, as in yours with a special ‘figural’ handle, can bring 10 to 100 times what an ordinary high-quality cup and saucer does.
Yours was made by the A.B. Jones & Sons firm at the Grafton Works (hence the trade name) in Longton, England circa the early 1950s. In the days of bridge club meetings, showers and other related events, the host was often given a cup and saucer as a token of appreciation — hence a single cup instead of a set.
Prices will floor you: this one can realize over $500.
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.*