THIS OLD THING
THIS OLD THING
Q. This Louis Vuitton steamer trunk was originally owned by Leone Caetani, an Italian nobleman who brought his family to Canada in the 1920s. We received it from his daughter, who was a family friend. We’d like to have it appraised for sale. What could you tell us to help with the next steps? •Trish, Winnipeg A. The famed French designer began life as Louis Vuitton Malletier and opened a fashion house in Paris in 1854. He promptly dropped his surname for a shorter identity. He rose to the top of trunk manufacturers with explosive success after developing a stackable “flat-top” version in 1858, breaking away from the standard “hump back” design. This one must be close to 100 years old; since we know Prince Caetani came to Canada in 1927. It also boasts the distinctive “LV” monogram pattern, which came into use in 1896. Today the legendary name carries just as much weight as any top name for items both old and new, and your trunk is in terrific shape, inside and out. It’s worth about $9,000.
Q. My late husband and I received this “jug” from his father in 1982. It came with a letter that said it had been in the family for a long time. It was a “revered possession” used for molasses. It stands 20 centimetres tall (8 inches), and has a removable pewter top. On the bottom is marked an 85 (?), an ‘L,’ and another partial number that is unreadable. I’m curious about this piece. •Mary, Mendota Heights, Minnesota
A. These sorts of pitchers were often used for syrups of various sorts, or sometimes for milk. This one is English and dates very close to 1840. Many of them are not clearly marked, and are sometimes attributed to mainstream makers of the time, such as Dudson or Ridgway. The semimatte glaze is commonly called “salt glaze” — a term, unfortunately, too broad to be specific to this type of pottery. Quite popular about 25 years ago, they’ve fallen out of favour with today’s collectors. A reasonable value today would be about $75.
Q. This toy acrobat belonged to an elderly uncle who recently passed away. I remember him winding it up some years ago, and together we watched the little man swing around the bar. I am too nervous to wind it up myself, but the gears and key are solidly intact, and I’m confident it operates beautifully. It is 28 cm tall (11 inches). The flag poles adds an additional 10 cm (4 inches). •Kathleen, Ottawa
A. It’s tough to identify a maker for this charming “Tricksfeats Swinging” toy, as hundreds of companies were producing toys following the Second World War. Many were made in Japan during the “Occupied Japan” period, when Allied forces occupied the country. Versions of this swinging toy include “Arty the Trapeze Artist,” by Toyland Toys; “Betty Boop,” by Linemar; and “Lola the Lady Marvel.” by Kuramochi. Competition was fierce, many buyouts occurred, and companies changed their names to avoid lawsuits based on producing such similar toys. The label here is tattered, so your toy won’t fetch a “mint in box” (MIB) price. But it will do tricks for $175.