Avro lighter’s value soars for collectors
Q. My sister and I are looking after my father’s belongings and came across this lighter. It has the aircraft in red flying to the left of the words ‘Avro-Aircraft.’ It about 4.5 cm wide. Our Dad worked at Avro Canada as an engineer, leading a team working on the creation of the Arrow. He was so proud of this accomplishment and travelled to Florida many times to promote the Arrow and met with Howard Hughes, who was very interested in this project. Does it have much of a value today? Sandra, Collingwood
A. The story of the ill-fated Avro Arrow has its roots in the Cold War. It was developed by the aircraft division of A.V. Roe Canada Ltd. to protect Canada’s North from the threat of Soviet bombers. At the time, it was widely believed to be the most advanced aircraft of its type. Unfortunately, the project was cancelled by a newly elected Conservative government in 1959, quashing Canada’s dreams of forging a defence policy independent of the United States. Your dad’s lighter is a rare example of the few items left commemorating the famous aircraft, and is easily worth $150 — especially to the many Arrow enthusiasts who keep the memory alive to this day. Q. This painting came from my mom’s family — her father was fond of art and collected paintings as rentals, eventually buying this one. It’s signed Joachim Gauthier and the back has a label with The Elsie Perrin Williams Memorial Art Lending Library. Written on the back it is titled Festive Maples with an address of ‘184 Ranleigh Ave., Toronto, $100.’ It measures 51 by 61 cm (20 x 24 inches). My mom always had it displayed somewhere in our various homes. I really like it and am curious what it might be worth. Vicky, Oakville
A. Joachim George Gauthier (1897-1988) was a Canadian artist brought up in North Bay. He trained with Group-of-Seven members Franklin Carmichael and J.E.H. MacDonald, and also worked for the graphic arts company of Sampson Matthews Limited. He was a member of the Ontario Society of Artists and the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts and captured much of Canada with his landscape work. The address suggests a date of circa 1930s. In 1932 Albert Robson, author of Canadian Landscape Painters complimented Gauthier as “showing work of originality and ability.” This has action and drama with the vividly blue river coursing through a deep woods. Although his work doesn’t show up in great numbers his values have been a recent area of good growth. It’s easily worth $1,500 today.
Q. This is a photograph my father had in his belongings. There was a note in it suggesting this was a soldier from the Civil War. It is in a case that closes with catches and measures about 10 by 7.5 cm (4 x 3 inches). It is coloured and I’m hoping you can sort out what it is and its value. Any info will be greatly appreciated as we are also wondering if it could be a relative. Peggy, Hanover A. The lure of antique photographs often lies in identifying the subjects. I must leave that to the experts as to who the sitter is and what his uniform might be. What I can tell you about is the photo is a tintype that has been reframed in a case meant for earlier photo types. The wooden case backed with embossed paper dates around the 1850s. The incorrect double brass mat would only allow room for this thin hand-coloured tintype. Tintypes were actually made from iron and took over the market in the 1860s being more economical. Regardless, he will appeal to collectors of Militaria for about $125. 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.