PORTRAITS AND PIPES
Karsh photo finds & collectibles
Q I picked this photograph up at a garage sale in Saskatchewan many years ago. Is there any way of determining who the person is, and would there be any value to the photo? I would be willing to sell it or give it to the appropriate family. The photo is in excellent condition and at the lower left has ‘Copyright Photo by Karsh, Ottawa.’ Thank you for your advice and help.
Joan, Ottawa
A Spanning a year and a half, through a process of networking and persistence, your puzzle is solved thanks to the combination of an expert archivist and a great Canadian resource. Jill Delaney, lead archivist, photography, specialized media, Library and Archives Canada, (this being the fourth largest library in the world, in Ottawa) solved this mystery. Delaney, in charge of the massive Karsh photo archive, found and confirmed the original photo — also used for a press release in 1939 — of Dr. Robert James Manion (1881-1943), in his office as Leader of the Official Opposition (the Conservatives) taken on March 23, 1939. Manion, running for prime minister, was defeated by Liberal Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King. Manion was born in Pembroke and was a member of Parliament in Ontario for Fort William (1925-1935) and London (1938-1940). You have a great and rare historical photo by Yousuf Karsh and it is worth $200.
Q These Meerschaum pipes belong to my father, who bought them in a military PX store in Germany in the early 1960s. They are both made of genuine block meerschaum from the Girgin pipe company in Turkey. He still has the original boxes. One pipe features an elegant hand holding the bowl of the pipe, with an intricately carved flower pattern around the wrist, like a shirt cuff. It measures approximately 15 cm in length (6 inches) and has a bowl height of 4 cm (1.6 inches). My father paid about $6.75 at the time for it. It has never been smoked and is in perfect condition. We think the other pipe is Shakespeare’s head. My father smoked it for a number of years and it’s now a rich golden colour. We hope you’re able to tell us something about their value now. We’ve read that smoked Meerschaum pipes are worth more. Thank you so much.
Karen, Orleans
A Shakespeare works for me. Meerschaum is a soft mineral called sepiolite and some of the most expensive collectible pipes are made from it. Much of the mineral came from Turkish mines where the largest deposits in the world exist. Vintage and antique pipe bowls were carved in various places throughout Europe. The stems are often made of amber. The patina that forms from smoking use is a more desirable look for an antique pipe collector. The main period of meerschaum use was about 1840 to the early 1900s until briar pipe bowls captured the markets. The most expensive pipes (some tagged at $10,000) are valued for their artistic carving and subject matter — famous personalities, humour, large and elaborate.
Your man might fetch $150 and the hand could catch $95.
Q My parents were married June 30, 1938 and had wedding portraits made and signed by a young newcomer to Ottawa
... Yousuf Karsh. This is one of three different black and white poses I have and all are 23 x 18 cm (7 x 9 inches) and signed by him. Other than for my family do they have value? I hope you can help!
Shirley, Ottawa
A Karsh (1908-2002) was one of the great portrait photographers of the 20th century and won several awards including the Order of Canada. He came to Canada as an Armenian refugee. Ottawa’s Château Laurier Hotel provided the studio for Yousuf Karsh for over 20 years. Karsh is best known for his portraits of famous individuals. Far fewer wedding brides are seen — especially in the outdoors like yours. His talent did your mother justice by accentuating a fabulous flowing dress (its ends disappearing giving it movement) and transparent veil, bouquet and her stunning profile — all against a perfectly situated, soft-focus background. It is worth $175. 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.*