THIS OLD THING
THIS OLD THING
Q. This blazer belonged to my dad, who was a “Bevin Boy” in England during the Second World War. Bevin Boys, named after thenLabour Minister Ernest Bevin, were young men conscripted into the coal mines on a selective ballot system between 1943 and 1948. The target was one in 10 men, although on many occasions it was one in five. Dad, like the Bevin Boys story, was an amazing man. — Susan, Waterloo
A. Long unsung for their heroic service, the Bevin Boys carried out essential but dangerous work in the coal mines of England, Scotland and Wales between 1943 and 1948. Because these “boys” didn’t wear a uniform, they were often chastised for avoiding military service. There were approximately 48,000 Bevin Boys, and they were finally recognized 50 years after the war ended by Queen Elizabeth. It took another 13 years for the government to begin awarding an official Veteran’s Badge, which is issued only to Bevin Boys or their widows. I believe your jacket — featuring the official crest, but not the Veteran’s Badge — dates from around 1989, the year the Bevin Boys Association was formed. The crest depicts a mining elevator. It’s great, scarce, and worth $250.
Q. This set of paintings was given to my great-grandparents on their wedding day around the late 1800s, and they lived in Southwestern Ontario. The frames measure approximately 61 by 30 cm (24 x 12 inches) and the signature seems to be chaudlam or ebandlar. Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated. — Heather, Thedford
A. You came very close to deciphering the name Chandler, an often difficult signature to unravel. There are two artists with this surname who were not only contemporaries, but painted similar subjects in pastel. I believe yours to be the work of Ontario artist Robert Winthrop Chandler (1872-1930), as opposed to New York’s William Henry Chandler. Robert’s work tends to be darker depictions of evenings with dramatic atmospheric conditions, much like your mated pair. The condition looks quite good, and you have the original frames. As well, these are larger than those that turn up most often. Your pastel pair is worth $375.
Q. I am hoping you can shed some light on this portrait of a woman on a plate. The back of the plate is inscribed ‘Elegie. Depose’ and there’s also a blue beehive mark on the back. It is set into a very ornate frame. The plate is less than 30 centimetres (12 inches). The frame measures 46 cm high by 43 cm wide (18 x 17 inches). It belonged to my husband’s grandparents, who lived in Montreal, and they owned it for over 65 years. He inherited it when his grandparents passed away close to 35 years ago. — Jean, Ottawa
A. This is a beautiful and high quality plate, best described as Vienna-styled porcelain, framed in a very suitable gilt frame. “Elegie” is the title of the hand-painted image of a pensive young woman — a typical motif in decorating trends around 1900-1910 — and “Depose” refers to wares made for export. The blue “beehive” mark you mention was used by the Imperial and Royal Factory of Vienna, and is actually taken from the official Austrian shield. When this factory closed in 1864, several companies started copying the mark in Germany on their own products. Your plate was made by one of them between 1900 and 1910. The fine stencilled gilt borders are in terrific condition — very important to plate value. It’s worth about $450 today. John Sewell is an antiques and fine art appraiser. To submit an item to this 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 must also be included. (Only email submissions accepted.) Appraisal values are estimates only.