Making music
Early Art Deco in vintage ‘talking machine,’
Years ago I picked up this intriguing Ediphone at a garage sale for $100. It has the original headset and pedal for speed control. It’s still fully functional. I have a few of the original cylinders marked “School of Voice Writing.” I think this machine is from the 1920s or ’30s. Interestingly, the unit will run on a range of voltages, making it playable anywhere in the world. YVES, Ottawa
Thomas Edison invented the phonograph in 1877. Not only did his invention play music, but it could be adapted to record sound. Your model was launched and widely sold from about 1912 into the 1920s.
The fact this “talking machine” does not have a wooden cabinet, like most phonographs of this era, but has a moderne (early Art Deco), industrial look adds interest to it. And because it works as it did 100 years ago and you have original wax cylinders, makes me think you might consider donating it to a museum. Alternatively, it would certainly attract the interest of collectors, who gather vintage technological machines. But chances are they would not pay more than $175. We inherited this couch from my wife’s uncle. It was part of his home for many years. We know he bought it from an antique shop in Hamilton in the 1960s. It’s almost 2.5 metres long and one metre high. It has a straight back, ornate carved legs and rounded arm rests. I’m curious to see if this couch has any value. PHIL, Guelph
You own a handsome Regency-style sofa. The dramatic S-curved ends and carved mythical dolphins, leaf clusters and feather motif, atop the lion’s paw feet, are all classic features of the Regency style. The curtain rod design of the “crest” rail adds an extra note of elegance to this formal piece.
Regency refers to the reign of King George IV (1762 to 1830) who was also known as the Prince Regent. The Regency was a period of elegant fashions and furniture, informed by the arts and architecture of ancient Greece, Rome and Egypt.
Although the Regency ended in England in 1830, this piece was probably made circa 1840 in Saint John, N.B., by Alexander Lawrence. Lawrence’s workshop was renowned for its high-quality furniture and, like all colonial cabinetmakers, was a bit behind the fashions in Britain.
As fine as your settee is, today there are few customers for dark 19th-century furniture. Another issue is the high cost of re-upholstering. If I were you, I’d simply enjoy this beautiful sofa and accept its monetary value at a mere $750. I found this vase in a thrift shop for $3.50. When I looked at the bottom and saw a green “T&V Limoges France” stamp, I was extremely pleased with my purchase. It’s also signed by the artist O.H. (or N) Fraser 1916. I have found other squat Limoges vases like this, but not with this pattern. It’s 25 centimetres wide and 10 cm high. MARY, Ottawa
Limoges has long been a magic name in the world of collecting. By 1900, Limoges had over 100 workshops and porcelain-producing businesses, so it’s no wonder the brand is famous. T&V is the marque of Emilien Tressemanes and Gustave Vogt, who started producing quality Limoges porcelain blanks around 1891. Limoges exported these undecorated ceramic forms to North Americans.
After the company was sold to a new owner in 1919, it continued to use the same T &V insignia, so precise dating of your vase is difficult. It was likely decorated between 1900 and 1925 by an unknown artist for personal use.
Today, when valuing these ceramics, the design and artwork are more important than the date. The delicate spider web and insects — particularly the dragonfly — are well painted and sit beautifully on the curves of your vase. This pleasant one-of-a-kind piece is easily worth $175.